e aim were alleviation of
physical suffering, why not feed and heal all earth's hungry, diseased
millions, through diviner, broad-gauged philanthropy than lagging
processes of personal devotion?

Oswald recalled the hateful, cruel, bigoted zeal of a Calchas, pressing
upon Agamemnon at Aulis the unappeased wrath of the gods, until to fill
the canvas of Grecian fleet for Troy sail this so-called "King of Men"
could yield his household's idol to butcher-blade of human sacrifice.

Could it be that the courteous, indulgent Sir Donald Randolph, with his
wealth of cultured, intellectual power, was such a cruel, heartless,
moral idealist as to approve of his daughter's immolation on this
slow-torturing funeral pyre?

Then, too, Esther's infatuation for such dreary life! Esther seemed to
think the infinite plans would fail without her cooeperation. Diana's
intervention saved the weeping, trembling Iphigenia, but how find
available substitute or Tauris asylum for deluded Esther Randolph?

Thus chafing against the day's revelations, Oswald continued, until
wearied he relaxed from such tense state into uneasy sleep.

Paul Lanier's quickened sense of personal humiliation struggled with the
promptings of overpowering craft. At times his vindictive malice planned
revengeful surprises for the man who was in some way responsible for
Paul's treatment. True, Paul saw little in Oswald's conduct toward Alice
evincing any absorbing interest, and could detect that Esther was the
attraction; but had not this fascinating Englishman come between him and
the girl of his choice? With set lips he recalled each slight received
at Northfield, and meditated sure revenge. "The time is short," he
mutters, "and I must not long temporize upon methods, but there must be
cautious anticipation of all the consequences."

In his malicious ire Paul could have found it easy forever to silence
the voices of that sleeping household.

"My manners shall mask devilish craft until success is assured. There
will be smiling, hypocritical acquiescence in Northfield plans, then
prompt, decisive action upon the part of Paul Lanier."

For hours Paul continued revolving in his mind various plans, but
reached no definite conclusion as to his course of action.

With all his survey of the situation in its remotest bearings, and
determination to practice dissembling, cautious craft, Paul's decisive
acts in this brooding tragedy were to be the result of passionate
impul