hrough my soul! May
his blessing rest on me, and all his words be fulfilled.

'But what of Saronia? We are no nearer by the advent of this strange
faith. Shall we part? Must our communion end? Like two swift ships upon
the ocean, greet with welcome hail and pass away across the trackless
deep, each going its own particular way? No, no, no! this cannot be. We
twain must sail the same course, and at night or in storm give aid. We
must move together, the same pilot be ours, enter the same haven, dwell
in the same invisible land.

'But can this be? I am drifting, drifting from the old landmarks. She
steers by her well-known beacon fires--I strike out alone across an
unknown sea in search of a shore which may not exist, or, if it exists,
I may never reach it.

'Oh cruel doubt! Oh the struggle for truth! Oh to know what to do!'

CHAPTER XXVIII

SPIRITS OF THE DEEP

Saronia the priestess was agitated. She had resolved in her mind the
events of the past few days. 'Why was Chios within the grove?' She could
solve the problem--foolish man! 'What demon prompted him--what fiend
lured him to the verge of death? Could I but see him, warn him, for my
prescience tells me he will attempt this thing again. Rash man! How can
I save him? Whom can I trust? None!

'Here am I surrounded by the glory of the mightiest Temple, with pillars
rising to heaven, whose summit is crowned with the grandest sculptures
of Greece; but the birds which nestle in their carvings are freer than
Saronia. I walk in power; every behest is law and none dispute me--yet,
for the one great thing I would do, that I dare not! What, then, is
power--queenly power like mine? It is hateful. I sought it not. It was
thrust on me, and I wear it like a band of iron. But cease--cease, my
soul! Well dost thou know the smouldering fire of life's accumulated
love for Chios pent up within thee. Why dost thou tempt blasphemous
Saronia to further sin? Hush! Down, dark spirit! quail, ye rebel fires,
smoulder till my days be spent--then, with the freedom I covet, I will
luxuriate in joy. Until such time, let me fulfil my destiny. Come on, ye
clouds of darkness, hide him from my view! Soul, hear me! Crush to the
lowest ebb this fire which rises ever and anon into fiercest flame, and
combats with my reason! I am divided against myself.

'O goddess, hear me! Let my prayers like sweet incense rise! Bring me
strength!...'

A s