at Oriskany, which they are inclined to
attribute to spells cast by their enemies, who enjoy the
protection of the Stonish Giants.

"Is it not all mad enough for a child's dream?

"Ay, life and love are dreams, dear, and a mad world spins
them out of nothing.... Forgive me ... I have been sewing on
my wedding-gown again. And it is nigh finished.

"Good-night. I love you. D."

Blindly I groped for the remaining letter and tore the seal.

"Sir George has just had news of you from an Oneida who says
you may be here at any moment! And I, O God I terrified at my
own mad happiness, fearing myself in that meeting, begged him
to wed me on the morrow. I was insane, I think, crazed with
fear, knowing that, were I not forever beyond you, I must
give myself to you and abide in hell for all eternity!

"And he was astonished, I think, but kind, as he always is;
and now the dreadful knowledge has come to me that for me
there is no refuge, no safety in marriage which I, poor fool,
fled to for sanctuary lest I do murder on my own soul!

"What shall I do? What can I do? I have given my word to wed
him on the morrow. If it be mortal sin to show ingratitude to
a father and deceive a lover, what would it be to deceive a
husband and disgrace a father?

"And I, silly innocent, never dreamed but that temptation
ceased within the holy bonds of wedlock--though sadness might
endure forever.

"And now I know! In the imminent and instant presence of my
marriage I know that I shall love you none the less, shall
tempt and be tempted none the less. And, in this resistless,
eternal love, I may fall, dragging you down with me to our
endless punishment.

"It was not the fear of punishment that kept me true to my
vows before; it was something within me, I don't know what.

"But, if I were wedded with him, it would be fear of
punishment alone that could save me--not terror of flames; I
could endure them with you, but the new knowledge that has
come to me that my punishment would be the one thing I could
not endure--eternity without you!

"Neither in heaven nor in hell may I have you. Is there no
way, my beloved? Is there no place for us?

* * * * *

"I have been to the porch to tell Sir George that I must
post