I am convinced we shall find--something quite simple."

"The doctor is right," said Ashe, in his firm tones; "I myself--"

"The doctor is not right," said the girl, turning a white
face on the speaker, "I know better. The poet is right.
The poet is always right. Oh, he has been here from the beginning
of the world, and seen wonders and terrors that are all
round our path, and only hiding behind a bush or a stone.
You and your doctoring and your science--why, you have only been
here for a few fumbling generations; and you can't conquer even
your own enemies of the flesh. Oh, forgive me, Doctor, I know you
do splendidly; but the fever comes in the village, and the people
die and die for all that. And now it's my poor father.
God help us all! The only thing left is to believe in God;
for we can't help believing in devils." And she left them,
still walking quite slowly, but in such a fashion that no one
could go after her.

The spring had already begun to ripen into summer, and spread a green
tent from the tree over the garden table, when the American visitor,
sitting there with his two professional companions, broke the silence
by saying what had long been in his mind.

"Well," he said, "I suppose whatever we may think it wise
to say, we have all begun to think of a possible conclusion.
It can't be put very delicately anyhow; but, after all,
there's a very necessary business side to it. What are we
going to do about poor Vane's affairs, apart from himself?
I suppose you know," he added, in a low voice to the lawyer,