p said: "It is
only a question of your happiness, and hard as the voyage and your
life over there would be, yet I believe it would be better than life
with Louis of France; nothing could be so terrible as that to both of
us. If you wish to go, I will try to take you, though I die in the
attempt. There will be ample time to reconsider, so that you can turn
back if you wish."

Her reply was inarticulate, though satisfactory; and she took his hand
in hers as the tears ran gently down her cheeks; this time tears of
joy--the first she had shed for many a day.

In the Siren country again without wax! Overboard and lost!

Yes, Brandon's resolution not to see Mary was well taken, if it could
only have been as well kept. Observe, as we progress, into what the
breaking of it led him.

He had known that if he should but see her once more, his already
toppling will would lose its equipoise, and he would be led to attempt
the impossible and invite destruction. At first this scheme appeared
to me in its true light, but Mary's subtle feminine logic made it
seem such plain and easy sailing that I soon began to draw enthusiasm
from her exhaustless store, and our combined attack upon Brandon
eventually routed every vestige of caution and common sense that even
he had left.

Siren logic has always been irresistible and will continue so, no
doubt, despite experience.

I cannot define what it was about Mary that made her little speeches,
half argumentative, all-pleading, so wonderfully persuasive. Her facts
were mere fancies, and her logic was not even good sophistry. As to
real argument and reasoning, there was nothing of either in them. It
must have been her native strength of character and intensely vigorous
personality; some unknown force of nature, operating through her
occultly, that turned the channels of other persons' thoughts and
filled them with her own will. There was magic in her power, I am
certain, but unconscious magic to Mary, I am equally sure. She never
would have used it knowingly.

There was still another obstacle to which Mary administered her
favorite remedy, the Gordian knot treatment. Brandon said: "It cannot
be; you are not my wife, and we dare not trust a priest here to unite
us."

"No," replied Mary, with hanging head, "but we can--can find one over
there."

"I do not know how that will be; we shall probably not find one; at
least, I fear; I do not know."

After a little hesitation she answered: "I