"For any particular reason?" "For none that I am aware of. It suited my parents so to live; it suited me also. Since the death of my parents I have seen much of the world, and derived but small enjoyment from it until destiny led me to Nerac." "Destiny?" "It is the only word, doctor, by which I can express myself clearly." "During your illness you gave utterance to sentiments or ideas which impel me now to inquire whether, in the lives of either of your parents, there was that which would cause an honourable man to pause before he yields to a temptation which may draw an innocent being to destruction?" "I would perish rather than destroy the flower in my path." "You adopt my own figure of speech, but you do not answer my question--which proves that I have not complete power over you. Your sense of honour will not allow you to commit yourself to anything distinctly untruthful. Say there is that in your inner life which warns you that to touch would be to wither, would you stoop to gather the flower which it may be awaits your bidding?" A glow of ineffable delight warmed my heart. "Do you know," I asked, "that it awaits me?" "I know nothing absolutely. I am striving to perform a duty. An ordinarily wise man, foreseeing a storm, prepares for it; and when that storm threatens one who is dearer to him than life itself, he redoubles his precautions." "As you are doing." "As I am doing--though I am sadly conscious that my efforts may be vain." "You are not my enemy?" "On the contrary. I recognise in you noble qualities, but there is at the same time a mystery within you which troubles me. "May you not be in error there?" "It is possible. I speak from inward prompting, based upon observation and reflection."