"Edris!".. he whispered,--"Edris..." and stopped irresolutely.
She looked up at him with the appealing wistfulness of a lost and suffering child, and a slight shudder ran through all her delicate frame.
"I am cold, Theos!" she murmured half beseechingly, stretching out her hands to him once more,--hands as fine and fair as lily- leaves,--little white hands which he gazed at wonderingly, yet did not take.. "Cold and very weary! The way has been long, and the earth is dark!"
"Dark?" repeated Alwyn mechanically, still absorbed in the dubious contemplation of her lovely yielding form, her sweet upturned face and gold-glistening hair--"Dark? ... here? ... beneath the brightness of the moon? Nay,--I have seen many a full day look less radiant than this night of stars!"
Her eyes dwelt upon him with a certain pathetic bewilderment,--she let her extended arms drop wearily at her sides, and a shadow of pained recollection crossed the fairness of her features.
"Ah, I forgot! ..." and she sighed deeply--"This is that strange, sad world where Darkness is called Light."
At these words uttered with so much sorrowful meaning, a quick thrill stirred Alwyn's blood, an inexplicable sharp thrill, that was like the touch of scorching flame. He gazed at her perplexedly ... his pride resented what he imagined to be the deception practiced upon him, but at the same time he was not insensible to the weird romance of the situation.
He began to consider that as this fair girl, trained so admirably in mystical speech and manner, had evidently been sent on purpose to meet him, he could scarcely be blamed for taking her as she presented herself, and enjoying to the full a thoroughly novel and picturesque adventure.
His eyes flashed as he surveyed her standing there before him, utterly unprotected and at his mercy--his old, languid, skeptical smile played on his proud lips,--that smile of the marble Antinous which says "Bring me face to face with Truth itself and I shall still doubt!".. An expression of reluctant admiration and awakening passion dawned on his countenance, ... he was about to speak,--when she whose looks were fastened on him with intense, powerful, watchful, anxious entreaty, suddenly wrung her hands together as though in despair, and gave vent to a desolate sobbing cry that smote him to the very heart.
"Theos! Theos!" and her voice pealed out on the breathless air in sweet, melodious, broken echoes.. "Oh, my unfaithful Beloved, what can I do for thee! A love unseen thou wilt not understand,--a love made manifest thou wilt not recognize! Alas!--my journey is in vain ... my errand hopeless! For while thine unbelief resists my pleading, how can I lead thee from danger into safety? ... how bridge the depths between our parted souls? ... how win for thee pardon and blessing from Christ the King!"