uphold such a deceit as not only permissible, but even praise-
worthy, if practiced for the furtherance of a good cause. Even the
venerable hermit Elzear might have shared in the conspiracy, and
this "Edris," as she called herself, was no doubt perfectly
trained in the part she had to play! A plot for his conversion!
... well! ... he would enter into it himself, he resolved! ... why
not? The girl was exquisitely fair,--a veritable Psyche of soft
charms!--and a little lovemaking by moonlight would do no harm, . .
... here he suddenly became aware that while these thoughts were
passing through his brain he had unconsciously allowed her hands
to slip from his hold, and she now stood apart at some little
distance, her eyes fixed full upon him with an expression of most
plaintive piteousness. He made a hasty step or two toward her,--
and as he did so, his pulses began to throb with an extraordinary
sensation of pleasure,--pleasure so keen as to be almost pain.

"Edris!".. he whispered,--"Edris..." and stopped irresolutely.

She looked up at him with the appealing wistfulness of a lost and
suffering child, and a slight shudder ran through all her delicate
frame.

"I am cold, Theos!" she murmured half beseechingly, stretching out
her hands to him once more,--hands as fine and fair as lily-
leaves,--little white hands which he gazed at wonderingly, yet did
not take.. "Cold and very weary! The way has been long, and the
earth is dark!"

"Dark?" repeated Alwyn mechanically, still absorbed in the dubious
contemplation of her lovely yielding form, her sweet upturned face