to suffering, degraded, and criminal beings whom they desire to console, uplift, redeem; or they give themselves to superior men, sublime and strong, whom they adore and seek to comprehend, and by whom they are often annihilated.  You have been degraded, though now you are purified by the fires of repentance, and to-day you are once more noble; but I know myself too feeble to be your equal, and too religious to bow before any power but that On High.  I may refer thus to your life, my friend, for we are in the North, among the clouds, where all things are abstractions.”

“You stab me, Seraphita, when you speak like this.  It wounds me to hear you apply the dreadful knowledge with which you strip from all things human the properties that time and space and form have given them, and consider them mathematically in the abstract, as geometry treats substances from which it extracts solidity.”

“Well, I will respect your wishes, Wilfrid.  Let the subject drop.  Tell me what you think of this bearskin rug which my poor David has spread out.”

“It is very handsome.”

“Did you ever see me wear this ’doucha greka’?”

She pointed to a pelisse made of cashmere and lined with the skin of the black fox,—­the name she gave it signifying “warm to the soul.”

“Do you believe that any sovereign has a fur that can equal it?” she asked.

“It is worthy of her who wears it.”

“And whom you think beautiful?”

“Human words do not apply to her.  Heart to heart is the only language I can use.”

“Wilfrid, you are kind to soothe my griefs with such sweet words —­which you have said to others.”

“Farewell!”

“Stay.  I love both you and Minna, believe me.  To me you two are as one being.  United thus you can be my brother or, if you will, my sister.  Marry her; let me see you both happy before I leave this world of trial and of pain.  My God! the simplest of women obtain what they ask of a lover; they whisper ‘Hush!’ and he is silent; ‘Die’ and he dies; ‘Love me afar’ and he stays at a distance, like courtiers before a king!  All I desire is to see you happy, and you refuse me!  Am I then powerless?—­Wilfrid, listen, come nearer to me.  Yes, I should grieve to see you marry Minna but—­when I am here no longer, then—­promise me to marry her; heaven destined you for each other.”

“I listen to you with fascination, Seraphita.  Your words are incomprehensible, but they charm me.  What is it you mean to say?”

“You are right; I forget to be foolish,—­to be the poor creature whose weaknesses gratify you.  I torment you, Wilfrid.  You came to these Northern lands for rest, you, worn-out by the impetuous struggle of genius unrecognized, you, weary with the patient toils of science, you, who well-nigh dyed your hands in crime and wore the fetters of human justice—­”

Wilfrid dropped speechless on the carpet.  Seraphita breathed softly on his forehead, and in a moment he fell asleep at her feet.