t it was
empty,--Gnulemah, at least, was not there! The tapestry curtain in her
doorway was pushed aside, the door itself open. Where should he seek
her?

As he stood in doubt, he saw lying at his feet a violet. Picking it
up, he saw another some distance beyond it, and still another on the
threshold which he had just crossed. They were Gnulemah's
footsteps,--the scent of this sweet quarry, teaching him how to follow
her. So he followed, nor let one fragrant trace escape him; and
presently he had a nosegay of them.

She was out of doors, then. Truly, on such a day as this, where else
should she be? What walls could presume to hold her? Her loveliness
was at one with nature's, and they attracted each other. To the
solitary nymph, her mighty playmate had been all-sufficient; for she
saw not the earth and sky as they appear nowadays to mankind, but the
divine meaning which they clothe. Thus she could converse with
animals, and could read plants and stones more profoundly than
botanist or geologist. She followed inward to her own fresh and
beautiful soul the sympathies which allied her to outward things, and
found there their true prototypes.

But when the strong magnetism of a new human spirit began to act upon
her, these fine communings with nature suffered disturbance. In such
thunderstorms as the meeting of the electric forces must engender,
there was need of a trustworthier safeguard than simple perception of
a divine purpose underlying creation. Only the personal God is strong
enough to govern the relations of soul with soul. Barren of Eve, Adam
would not have fallen; but with her he will one day not only retrieve
his fall, but climb to a sublimer height than any to which he could
have aspired alone.

Balder strolled out on the wide lawn. Southwestward wound an avenue of
great trees, overshadowing the narrow footpath that stole beneath
them. To the right, round the northern corner of the house, he could
see far off the white tops of the blossoming apple-trees; and beyond,
the river. The orchard perfume came riding on the untamed breeze, and
whispered a fragrant secret in the young man's ear. Orchardward he
pursued his search.

As he went on, Gnulemah grew every moment nearer. At length he caught
the flutter of her mantle amidst the foliage, and presently saw her
on the brink of the precipice, looking out across the broad blue
river. Thus had he, through his glass, darkly, seen her stand the day
before. Were th