He went in search of Mellis, but for a long time he could not find her, and the house and island seemed full of fools who stared at him. Martin Valliant’s humility was in the dust. Had he been a fiercer and more carnal man, a strong and striving selfishness might have carried him through; but the rebel spirit faltered in him when voices whispered that the woman suffered shame because he loved her. Generous souls are always at the mercy of the meaner and more cunning spirits. A clever lie, like a snake crawling from the mouth of a sorcerer, has bitten many a strong man’s heel. Martin found his love in a far corner of the orchard where an old tree had been blown down, but still lived and threw out green leaves. Mellis was seated on the trunk and half among the boughs, so that she was hidden like a bird, and discoverable only by some one who came quite near, for the weeds and grass were rank and tall, and melted into the green of the tree. He stood before her, sorrowful and heavy-eyed, and she knew why he had come to her and what was in his heart. “Martin!” Her eyes loved him. “So these clowns have been pulling ugly faces.” He answered her simply and sadly. “It may be that the clowns are right. We live our lives among clowns; we must not live too finely, or the clowns will be displeased. Is it not a sin to offend even against fools?” She left her seat on the tree and stood facing him. “So they would drive you out—send you to beggary or death.” “They think me accursed.” Her hands went to his shoulders, but his arms remained rigid, and he did not move. “Martin Valliant, the rebel in me fights for you. Why should we truckle to this clowns’ world? What does it know of my heart or of yours? Why, we could go on living to the mean level of the beasts, throwing our pearls in the troughs, forever and ever.” “But what I was—and what I am!” “Man, man, I love you! Is there shame or sin in my eyes? Why, there was no true beauty in the world till we began to love each other. And am I to disown you, send you back to your death, because these lords and gentlemen have unclean, grudging hearts? No—by my God, I will not let you go.” He stood rigid, opening and shutting his hands. His eyes looked into hers appealingly. “But, child, they speak shameful things.” “Let them call me all the foul names that ever were. Am I touched by them? It is for me to choose. And I say to you that they shall not part us. For if you love me, Martin——” She gripped his arms, and her face lay close to his, her lips open, her eyes full of soft gleams. Her voice was quick, passionate, and challenging. “For if you love me, dear——” He stared at her, head thrown back, his eyes filling with a strange, wild light. “Mellis!” “Death—what would death be? But here is life and desire—and beauty. Oh, my heart, play me not false! They shall not take you from me!” “Mellis—dear heart!” He held her at arm’s length, his face transfigured.