"And," he went on, "when I once more saw eye to eye relatives who are dear to me, a great happiness came over me. Duty and the possession of wealth seemed to point to a life with these same relatives, but something urged me on. Chelda, I have at last found peace in religion,--the true, not the spurious religion. My heart became humbled. Not to crowded cities but to the wilderness a call came to me. I have been among the Indians in the West. If I could describe to you the joy of my life, the ecstasy, not of renunciation, but of participation in their lives! Only one thing could draw me from them. Do you know what that one thing was?" She tried to answer him in a conventional tone, to assure him that she did not know, that she would be interested in hearing, but her breath came and went in fluttering gasps, and she could not speak. "You, my darling. I have been kept informed of your movements. I know everything. At this juncture you need me. I am here,--here to take you back with me. "My darling, my darling!" and gently putting his arm around her trembling form he kissed her feverish cheeks. She drew away from him. "I murdered my aunt," she said, in a hollow voice. "Hush, hush!" and as tenderly as a parent would soothe a child he stroked her unbound masses of hair. "I do not love you," she stammered. "My poor girl," and he folded her fluttering hands. "You are on the brink of losing your reason. I wish to alarm you. They have written of your strange state of mind. That your conscience is awakened is my keenest delight, yet I would not have you gratify your sacrificial instincts. You have done wrong, very wrong. You have been contemptible, my darling. I also have been contemptible. Our most merciful Father in heaven forgives us. Shall we spurn the joy of acceptance? We truly repent. Let us atone for the past. We are tired of the world,--you and I. Let us live apart from it. I claim you as my wife. You are mine, and I will take you from all former haunts. There is much good in the world as well as evil, but we have shown ourselves weak. Chelda, will you come?" She collected herself. "I beg that you will go away," she said, rising, and trembling from head to foot. "Very well," he said, composedly, reaching for his hat, "I do not wish to distress you, but you will not forget what I have said?" Forget it,--when her eager eyes were devouring him, and her fingers were clasped convulsively to prevent them from seeking the shelter of his strong, inviting hands. She loved him more intensely, more devotedly than ever before, but she was punishing herself for her forwardness in days gone by. If he had said then that he loved she would have been ready to die with joy. Now--and her passionate hungry eyes left his face and went to the cemetery.