nk into a chair, while she continued standing erect and
self-sustained before him by conscious, though new, rectitude of purpose.

"Mark me, I say, Arvina, when I tell you, that you are as free as air from
the oath, with which I bound you. That wicked vow compels you only so long
as I hold you pledged to its performance. Lo! it is nothing any more--for
I, to whom alone of mortals you are bound, now and forever release you.
The Gods, above and below, whom you called to witness it, are witnesses no
more against you. For I annul it here; I give you back your plight. It is
as though it never had been spoken!"

"Indeed? indeed? am I free?--Good, noble, generous, dear, Lucia, is it
true? can it be? I am free, and at thy bidding?"

"Free as the winds of heaven, Paullus, that come whence no man knoweth,
and go whither they will soever, and no mortal hindereth them! As free as
the winds, Paullus," she repeated, "and I trust soon to be as happy."

"But wherefore," added the young man, "have you done this? You said you
would release me _never_, and now all unsolicited you come and say 'you
are free, Paullus,' almost before the breath is cold upon my lips that
swore obedience. This is most singular, and inconsistent."

"What in the wide world _is_ consistent, Paullus, except virtue? That
indeed is immutable, eternal, one, the same on earth as in heaven,
present, and past, and forever. But what else, I beseech you, is
consistent, or here or anywhere, that you should dream of finding me, a
weak wild wanton girl, of firmer stuff than heroes? Are you, even in your
own imagination, are you, I say, consistent?"

She spoke eagerly, perhaps wildly; for the very part of self-denial, which
she was playing, stirred her mind to its lowest depths; and the great
change, which had been going on within for many hours, and was still in
powerful progress, excited her fancy, and kindled all her strongest
feelings; and, as is not unfrequently the case, all the profound vague
thoughts, which had so long lain mute and dormant, found light at once,
and eloquent expression.

Paullus gazed at her, in astonishment, almost in awe. Could this be the
sensual, passionate voluptuary he had known two days since?--the strange,
unprincipled, impulsive being, who yielded like the reed, to every gust of
passion--this deep, clear, vigorous thinker! It was indeed a change to
puzzle sager heads than that of Arvina! a transformation, sudden and
beautiful as that fr