d from me, have not left a poor
defenceless mortal alone in his need; no, my brave, faithful wife, now
for the first time wholly mine and fairer and happier than ever, and
all the idols which I had beside you, have crumbled into ruin forever."

"Oh Edwin," she whispered, "you make me both happy and miserable. You
do not know, I am a bad wife--mean and cowardly, and not worthy to have
you idolize me so. Oh! that this must be said now, but I must not allow
any falsehood to come between us--you must see me as I am, even if you
take back the treasure you have just poured into my lap."

"Speak out, if it must be told," he said with his brightest smile. "I
am curious to see how far a person who has just saved another's life,
can succeed in appearing odious."

He held her hands firmly clasped in his, but she glided down on the
carpet before him, and on her knees, like a grievous sinner, confessed
all that we already know. He let her talk on only interrupting now and
then by an ironical word or saucy laugh. "Have you finished?" he
asked, when she paused. She nodded, but made no effort to rise.

"Your sins are heavy," said he. "Above all, that of having given
another man, even though he be a friend, to whom I do not grudge any
good thing, the kiss which I myself so shamefully neglected to take
with me, when I set out early this morning. However, in consideration
that I too did not escape from the magic castle entirely unscathed, the
only penance imposed upon you shall be, that in the future, if you want
to kiss your own husband, you must never suppose that such folly does
not beseem thinking beings, who have made a sensible marriage, but
allow your heart every sweet absurdity--as in this hour. Leah, were
there ever two happier mortals?"

"I fear I shall not survive the joy--" she murmured. Then withdrawing
from his embrace she continued: "You are crushing me,--and you must be
very gentle with me now--not for my own sake--Edwin, you do not yet
know--I--I bear another life--"

This earth has joys that no heavenly joy can surpass, and which can be
described by no human tongue.

CHAPTER IX.

This night was succeeded by days, whose radiance and joy exceeded even
the far famed happiness of the honeymoon. And in fact many drops of
gall had mingled with the honey of our lovers' first days of wedlock;
the daughter's sorrowful parting from her beloved father, whose future
at that time seemed