tell you that? Why, now,
this moment, at the snap of my fingers, what is to hinder our taking the
short cut to happiness, centaur and nymph? One leap and a gallop, and we
should be into the morning, leaving night to grope for us, parents and
friends to run about for the wits they lose in running. But no! No
more scandals. That silver moon invites us by its very spell of bright
serenity, to be mad: just as, when you drink of a reverie, the more
prolonged it is the greater the readiness for wild delirium at the end
of the draught. But no!' his voice deepened--'the handsome face of the
orb that lights us would be well enough were it only a gallop between
us two. Dearest, the orb that lights us two for a lifetime must be taken
all round, and I have been on the wrong side of the moon.

I have seen the other face of it--a visage scored with regrets,
dead dreams, burnt passions, bald illusions, and the like, the
like!--sunless, waterless, without a flower! It is the old volcano land:
it grows one bitter herb: if ever you see my mouth distorted you will
know I am revolving a taste of it; and as I need the antidote you give,
I will not be the centaur to win you, for that is the land where he
stables himself; yes, there he ends his course, and that is the herb he
finishes by pasturing on. You have no dislike of metaphors and parables?
We Jews are a parable people.'

'I am sure I do understand...' said Clotilde, catching her breath to be
conscientious, lest he should ask her for an elucidation.

'Provided always that the metaphor be not like the metaphysician's
treatise on Nature: a torch to see the sunrise!--You were going to add?'

'I was going to say, I think I understand, but you run away with me
still.'

'May the sensation never quit you!'

'It will not.'

'What a night!' Alvan raised his head: 'A night cast for our first
meeting and betrothing! You are near home?'

'The third house yonder in the moonlight.'

'The moonlight lays a white hand on it!'

'That is my window sparkling.'

'That is the vestal's cresset. Shall I blow it out?'

'You are too far. And it is a celestial flame, sir!'

'Celestial in truth! My hope of heaven! Dian's crescent will be ever
on that house for me, Clotilde. I would it were leagues distant, or the
door not forbidden!'

'I could minister to a good knight humbly.'

Alvan bent to her, on a sudden prompting:

'When do father and mother arrive?'

'To-morrow.'

He took her hand.