"Does it not point out that I am your friend, Philip, and that the Pilot Schriften is your enemy?" "I grant it; but he is dead." "Is that so certain?" "He hardly could have escaped without my knowledge." "That is true, but the dream would imply otherwise. Philip, it is my opinion that the only way in which this dream is to be expounded is--that you remain on shore for the present. The advice is that of the priests. In either case you require some further intimation. In your dream, _I_ was your safe guide--be guided now by me again." "Be it so, Amine. If your strange art be in opposition to our holy faith, you expound the dream in conformity with the advice of its ministers." "I do. And now, Philip, let us dismiss the subject from our thoughts. Should the time come, your Amine will not persuade you from your duty; but recollect, you have promised to grant _one_ favour when I ask it." "I have: say, then, Amine, what may be your wish?" "O! nothing at present. I have no wish on earth but what is gratified. Have I not you, dear Philip?" replied Amine, fondly throwing herself on her husband's shoulder. Chapter XV It was about three months after this conversation that Amine and Philip were again seated upon the mossy bank which we have mentioned, and which had become their favourite resort. Father Mathias had contracted a great intimacy with Father Seysen, and the two priests were almost as inseparable as were Philip and Amine. Having determined to wait a summons previous to Philip's again entering upon his strange and fearful task; and, happy in the possession of each other, the subject was seldom revived. Philip, who had, on his return, expressed his wish to the Directors of the Company for immediate employment, and, if possible, to have the command of a vessel, had, since that period, taken no further steps, nor had any communication with Amsterdam. "I am fond of this bank, Philip," said Amine; "I appear to have formed an intimacy with it. It was here, if you recollect, that we debated the subject of the lawfulness of inducing dreams; and it was here, dear Philip, that you told me your dream, and that I expounded it." "You did so, Amine; but if you ask the opinion of Father Seysen, you will find that he would give rather a strong decision against you--he would call it heretical and damnable." "Let him, if he pleases. I have no objection to tell him." "I pray not, Amine; let the secret remain with ourselves only." "Think you Father Mathias would blame me?" "I certainly do." "Well, I do not; there is a kindness and liberality about the old man that I admire. I should like to argue the question with him."