y it
with reasons.

"It is true,--God only can know our love," said Balder, and, having
said it, he felt his mind clear and strengthen. For it is the
acknowledgment of God that lends the deepest seeing to the eye, and
tunes the universe to man; and Balder, at this moment of mingled love,
humility, and fear, made and confessed that supreme discovery.--"Only
He knows what our love is, but the marriage-rite informs the world
that He knows it."

"But why must the world know?" persisted Gnulemah, still seeming to
shrink at the idea.

"Because it is wholesome for all men to know that we have made God
party to our union. That our love may be pure and immortal, we must
look through each other to Him; the acknowledgment will keep others as
well as ourselves from misusing love's happiness."

"Then, after we have knelt together before Him, we shall be no longer
two, but one!" Gnulemah spoke, after some pause, in a full tone of
joy; yet her voice shrank at the last, from the feeling that she had
penetrated all at once to a holy place. A delicious fear seized her,
and she clung to her lover so that he could perceive the tremor that
agitated her.

No more was said. Their confidence was in each other; with Balder at
her side, Gnulemah was fearful of the world no longer. But her visions
were all spiritual; even the kisses on her lips were to her a sacred
miracle! Love makes children of men and women,--shows them the wisdom
of unreason and the value of soap-bubbles. These lovers must meet the
world, but the light and freshness of the Golden Age should accompany
them. The man held the maiden's hand, and so faced the future with a
smile.

Few as were the hours since they first had seen each other, it seemed
as though they could hardly know each other better; then why put off
the consummation a single hour? Manetho had been right, and Balder
marvelled at having required the spur. He knew of no material
hindrances; unlimited resources would be his, and these would render
easier Gnulemah's introduction to society. Perhaps (for doubtless
Manetho would desire it) they might begin housekeeping in this very
house, and thus, by gradual approaches, make their way to life's
realities,--vulgarly so called!

At this moment, Balder's respect for wealth was many fold greater than
ever it had been before. It should be the sword and shield wherewith
he would protect the woman of his heart. Gnulemah was not of the kind
who need the discipline o