ame applies
conversely. Now, to-night we are, as I believe, going to open a great
gate and to see wonderful things, glorious things that will thrill us
for the rest of our lives, and perhaps suggest to us what is coming
after death. You will not fail me, will you?" she continued in a
pleading voice. "If you do I must try alone since no one else will
serve, and then I _know_--how I cannot say--that I shall be exposed to
great danger. Yes, I think that I shall lose my mind once more and never
find it again this side the grave. You would not have that happen to me,
would you, just because you shrink from digging up old memories?"

"Of course not," I stammered. "I should never forgive myself."

"Yes, of course not. There was really no need for me to ask you. Then
you promise you will do all I wish?" and once more she looked at me,
adding, "Don't be ashamed, for you remember that I have been in touch
with hidden things and am not quite as other women are. You will
recollect I told you that which I have never breathed to any other
living soul, years ago on that night when first we met."

"I promise," I answered and was about to add something, I forget what,
when she cut me short, saying,

"That's enough, for I know your word is rather better than your bond.
Now dress as quickly as you can or the dinner will be spoiled."

CHAPTER IV. THROUGH THE GATES

Short as was the time at my disposal before the dinner-gong sounded,
it proved ample for reflection. With every article of attire that
I discarded went some of that boudoir glamour till its last traces
vanished with my walking-boots. I was fallen indeed. I who had come to
this place so full of virtuous resolutions, could now only reflect upon
the true and universal meaning of our daily prayer that we might be kept
from temptation. And yet what had tempted me? For my life's sake I could
not say. The desire to please a most charming woman and to keep her from
making solitary experiments of a dangerous nature, I suppose, though
whether they should be less dangerous carried out jointly remained to
be seen. Certainly it was not any wish to eat of her proffered apple of
Knowledge, for already I knew a great deal more than I cared for about
things in general. Oh! the truth was that woman is the mightiest
force in the world, at any rate where the majority of us poor men is
concerned. She commanded and I must obey.

I grew desperate and wondered if I could escape. Perhaps I