He began to consider that as this fair girl, trained so admirably in mystical speech and manner, had evidently been sent on purpose to meet him, he could scarcely be blamed for taking her as she presented herself, and enjoying to the full a thoroughly novel and picturesque adventure.

His eyes flashed as he surveyed her standing there before him, utterly unprotected and at his mercy—­his old, languid, skeptical smile played on his proud lips,—­that smile of the marble Antinous which says “Bring me face to face with Truth itself and I shall still doubt!"..  An expression of reluctant admiration and awakening passion dawned on his countenance, ... he was about to speak,—­when she whose looks were fastened on him with intense, powerful, watchful, anxious entreaty, suddenly wrung her hands together as though in despair, and gave vent to a desolate sobbing cry that smote him to the very heart.

“Theos!  Theos!” and her voice pealed out on the breathless air in sweet, melodious, broken echoes..  “Oh, my unfaithful Beloved, what can I do for thee!  A love unseen thou wilt not understand,—­a love made manifest thou wilt not recognize!  Alas!—­my journey is in vain ... my errand hopeless!  For while thine unbelief resists my pleading, how can I lead thee from danger into safety? ... how bridge the depths between our parted souls? ... how win for thee pardon and blessing from Christ the King!”

Bright tears filled her eyes and fell fast and thick through her long, drooping lashes, and Alwyn, smitten with remorse at the sight of such grief, sprang to her side overcome by shame, love, and penitence.

“Weeping? ... and for me?”—­he exclaimed—­“Sweet Edris! ...  Gentlest of maidens! ...  Weep not for one unworthy, . . but rather smile and speak again of love! ...” and now his words pouring forth impetuously, seemed to utter themselves independently of any previous thought,—­“Yes! speak only of love,—­and the discourse of those tuneful lips shall be my gospel, . . the glance of those, soft eyes my creed, . . and as for pardon and blessing I crave none but thine!  I sought a Dream..  I have found a fair Reality ... a living proof of Love’s divine omnipotence!  Love is the only god—­who would doubt his sovereignty, or grudge him his full measure of worship? ...  Not I, believe me!”—­and carried away by the force of a resistless inward fervor, he threw himself once more at her feet—­“See!—­here do I pay my vows at Love’s high altar!—­heart’s desire shall be the prayer—­heart’s ecstasy the praise! ... together we will celebrate our glad service of love, and heaven itself shall sanctify this Eve of St. Edris and All Angels!”

She listened,—­looking down upon him with grave, half timid tenderness,—­her tears dried, and a sudden hope irradiated her fair face with a soft, bright flush, as lovely as the light of morning falling on newly opened flowers.  When he ceased, she spoke—­her accents breaking through the silence like clear notes of music sweetly sung.