That could not be, for she still slept; but he wished to believe it--and
he would believe it, and he stole nearer to her and nearer, and bent over
her, and listened--while his own strength failed him even to draw a
breath--listened to the soft regular breathing that heaved her bosom.
No longer master of himself he touched her white arm with his bearded
lips and she drew it back in her sleep, then his gaze fell on her parted
lips and the pearly teeth that shone between them, and a mad longing to
kiss them came irresistibly over him. He bent trembling over her, and
was on the point of gratifying his impulse when, as if startled by a
sudden apparition, he drew back, and raised his eyes from the rosy lips
to the hand that rested on the sleeper's brow.

The lamplight played on a golden ring on Sirona's finger, and shone
brightly on an onyx on which was engraved an image of Tyche, the tutelary
goddess of Antioch, with a sphere upon her head, and bearing Amalthea's
horn in her hand.

A new and strange emotion took possession of the anchorite at the sight
of this stone. With trembling hands he felt in the breast of his torn
garment, and presently drew forth a small iron crucifix and the ring that
he had taken from the cold hand of Hermas' mother. In the golden circlet
was set an onyx, on which precisely the same device was visible as that
on Sirona's hand. The string with its precious jewel fell from his
grasp, he clutched his matted hair with both hands, groaned deeply, and
repeated again and again, as though to crave forgiveness, the name of
"Magdalen."

Then he called Sirona in a loud voice, and as she awoke excessively
startled, he asked her in urgent tones: "Who gave you that ring?"