"What was his leading principle?"

"A desire for what he called Truth," replied Heliobas.

"He, like many others of his class, never took the trouble to
consider very deeply the inner meaning of Pilate's famous
question, 'What IS Truth?' WE know what it is, as generally
accepted--a few so called facts which in a thousand years will all
be contradicted, mixed up with a few finite opinions propounded by
unstable minded men. In brief, Truth, according to the world, is
simply whatever the world is pleased to consider as Truth for the
time being. 'Tis a somewhat slight thing to stake one's immortal
destinies upon!"

Hilarion raised one of Alwyn's cold, pulseless hands--it was
stiff, and white as marble.

"I suppose," he said, "there is no doubt of his returning hither?"

"None whatever," answered Heliobas decisively. "His life on earth
is assured for many years yet,--inasmuch as his penance is not
finished, his recompense not won. Thus far my knowledge of his
fate is certain."

"Then you will bring him back to-day?" pursued Hilarion.

"Bring him back? I? I cannot!" said Heliobas, with a touch of sad
humility in his tone. "And for this very reason I feared to send
him hence,--and would not have done so,--not without preparation
at any rate,--could I have had my way. His departure was more