trouble of such attendance and told him so many times with much
earnestness. But all to no purpose--Elzear only smiled gently and
continued to perform the duties of hospitality in his own way ...
it was evidently no use interfering with him. Later on he showed
his visitor a small cell-like apartment containing a neat bed,
together with a table, a chair, and a large Crucifix, which latter
object was suspended against the wall, . . and indicating by
eloquent signs that here the weariest traveller might find good
repose, he made a low salutation and departed altogether for the
night.

What a still place the "Hermitage" was, thought Alwyn, as soon as
Elzear's retreating steps had died away into silence. There was
not a sound to be heard anywhere, ... not even the faint rustle of
leaves stirred by the wind. And what a haunting, grave, wistfully
tender expression filled the face of that sculptured Image on the
Cross, which in intimate companionship with himself seemed to
possess the little room! He could not bear the down-drooping
appealing, penetrating look in those heavenly-kind yet piteous
Eyes, ... turning abruptly away he opened the narrow window, and
folding his arms on the sill surveyed the scene before him. The
full moon was rising slowly, ... round and large, she hung like a
yellow shield on the dark, dense wall of the sky. The Rums of
Babylon were plainly visible.. the river shone like a golden
ribbon,--the outline of Birs-Nimoud was faintly rimmed with
light, and had little streaks of amber radiance wandering softly
up and down its shadowy slopes.

"'AND I WENT INTO THE FIELD CALLED ARDATH AND THERE I SAT AMONG
THE FLOWERS!'" mused Alwyn half aloud, his dreamy gaze fixed on