She smiled forgiveness, and with a humid brightness in her eyes, which
somehow made me think of that joy of the angels over one sinner that
repenteth, bent down and touched her lips to mine. "How can you love any
one more than that, Smith?" she said. "Yet you say that your love for
Yoletta exceeds all others."

"Yes, dear, exceeds all others, as the light of the sun exceeds that of
the moon and the stars. Can you not understand that--has no man ever
loved you with a love like that, my sister?"

She shook her head and sighed. Did she not understand my meaning
now--had not my words brought back some sweet and sorrowful memory? With
her hands folded idly on her lap, and her face half averted, she sat
gazing at nothing. It seemed impossible that this woman, so tender and
so beautiful, should never have experienced in herself or witnessed in
another, the feeling I had questioned her about. But she made no further
reply to my words; and as I lay there watching her, the drowsy spirit
the fever had left in me overcame my brain, and I slept once more.

For several days, which brought me so little strength that I was not
permitted to leave the sick-room, I heard nothing further about my
punishment, for I purposely refrained from asking any questions, and no
person appeared inclined to bring forward so disagreeable a subject. At
length I was pronounced well enough to go about the house, although
still very feeble, and I was conducted, not to the judgment-room, where
I had expected to be taken, but to the Mother's Room; and there I found
the father of the house, seated with Chastel, and with them seven or
eight of the others. They all welcomed me, and seemed glad to see me out
again; but I could not help remarking a certain subdued, almost solemn