Even as he lay in her arms, his head resting on her young bosom, he raised his eyes and beheld her face. "Mary!" "Thou art my husband!" "Thou art my wife!" That moment was a full recompense for all they had suffered, yes, for a lifetime of suffering and anguish. They forgot everything,--the dark past,--the strange chance or providence which had brought them together,--they only felt that they were living and in each other's arms. At sight of the pure, holy face of Mary, all consciousness of the fascination which Frank had held over him, passed like the memory of a dream from the soul of Nameless. "O, Mary, wife, thou art living,--God is good," he said, as she bent over him, baptizing his lips with kisses, and his face with tears. "Do you remember that hour, when I lay in the coffin, while you bent over me, and our souls talked to each other, without the medium of words: 'you have seen him for the last time,' they said; 'not for the last time,--we will meet again,' was your reply. And now we have met! Mary--wife! let us never accuse Providence again, for God is good!" Moment of joy too deep for words. Drink every drop of the cup, now held to your lips, Carl Raphael! For even, as the arms of your young wife are about your neck, even as her young bosom throbs against your cheek, and you count the beatings of her heart, death spreads his shadow over you. The poison is in your veins,--your young life is about to set in this world forever. CHAPTER V. THE SCARLET CHAMBER. Having once more resumed the attire of Leo the Tenth,--scarlet robe, cap, with nodding plumes and cross with golden chain; Dr. Bulgin was hurrying along a dark passage on his way to the Scarlet Chamber, where his nephew awaited him. The Scarlet Chamber was at the end of the passage; as he drew near it, the Doctor's reflections grew more pleasant and comfortable. It may be as well to make record, that after he had left the Bridal Chamber, he had refreshed himself with a fresh bottle of champagne. "Odd scene that in the room of Tarleton's daughter! Very dramatic,--wish I knew what it all meant. However my 'nephew;'" a rich chuckle resounded from the depths of his chest--"'my nephew' awaits me, and after another bottle in the Scarlet Chamber, I must see _her_ safely home. It is not such a bad world after all." Thus soliloquizing he arrived at the end of the passage, and his head was laid against the door of the Scarlet Chamber. "Cozy place,--bottle of wine,--good company--" "Hush!" whispered a voice. "That you Julia? What are you doing out here in the dark?" he wound his arms about his nephew's waist. "Waiting for me?" "Do not,--do not," she gasped, struggling to free herself from his arms,--"Do not enter,--" "Tush, child! you're nervous,--" and despite the struggles, he gathered his arm closer around her waist, pushed open the door and entered the Scarlet Room.