e to be found in the presence and devotion of the Bishop?
Could he have supplanted Mr. Dunbar in her affection? Had the world
swung from its moorings? What meant the light that broke upon her, as
if the walls of heaven had fallen, and let all the glory out?

After a moment she said, solemnly:

"I pray God to overrule all earthly things, for your welfare, for your
heart's truest happiness; and for the realization of your dearest
hopes. When my mission has been accomplished, and duty lifts her seal
from my lips, I may try to see you once more, and explain the necessity
that forced me to seek seclusion."

"I believe I understand; and I trust your reward will not be delayed.
You and I can lean with confidence upon the wisdom and the mercy of the
God we worship; but each must serve out His appointed time of bondage
in the Egypt of suffering, in the famine of the desert; and must drink
at Marah, before the blessing of the manna, the grapes of Eshcol, the
roses of Sharon. If ever you should need an earthly friend, remember
me; and if all other refuge fail you, my home can be always yours."

Hand in hand they walked to the door, and Leo pitied the future of this
woman, whose lover was a wandering outlaw, with a price set upon his
head; and beneath her gray flannel habit, Beryl's heart was torn with
conflicting emotions, as she watched the placid, proud face, that
showed no vestige of the storm of disappointment which had stranded her
sweetest hope in life.

"Good-bye, Beryl; God keep you in His tender care."

"Good-bye, dear Miss Gordon. I will pray for your happiness, so long as
I live."

She stooped, drew Leo's hands to her face, pressed her trembling lips
twice upon them; then turned quickly, and locked herself in the studio.

Is it true, that "Orestes and Pylades have no sisters?"

CHAPTER XXXIII.

A Persian proverb tells us: "A stone that is fit for the wall is not
left in the way." Strong artistic aspirations will plough through arid
sands, leap across bottomless chasms, toil over bristling obstacles,
climb bald, freezing crags to reach that shining plateau, where "beauty
pitches her tents", and the Ideal beckons. Favorable environment is the
steaming atmosphere that fosters, forces and develops germs which might
not survive the struggle against adverse influences, in uncongenial
habitat; but nature moulds some types that attain perfection through
perpetual elementary warfare which hardens the fibre, an