f a woman talking with Mara, and I knew the voice.

"I fear she is dead!" said Mara.

"I will send and find her," answered the mother. "But why, Mara,
shouldst thou at all fear for her or for any one? Death cannot hurt her
who dies doing the work given her to do."

"I shall miss her sorely; she is good and wise. Yet I would not have her
live beyond her hour!"

"She has gone down with the wicked; she will rise with the righteous. We
shall see her again ere very long."

"Mother," I said, although I did not see her, "we come to you many, but
most of us are Little Ones. Will you be able to receive us all?"

"You are welcome every one," she answered. "Sooner or later all will be
little ones, for all must sleep in my house! It is well with those that
go to sleep young and willing!--My husband is even now preparing her
couch for Lilith. She is neither young nor quite willing, but it is well
indeed that she is come."

I heard no more. Mother and daughter had gone away together through
the dark. But we saw a light in the distance, and toward it we went
stumbling over the moor.

Adam stood in the door, holding the candle to guide us, and talking with
his wife, who, behind him, laid bread and wine on the table within.

"Happy children," I heard her say, "to have looked already on the face
of my daughter! Surely it is the loveliest in the great world!"

When we reached the door, Adam welcomed us almost merrily. He set the
candle on the threshold, and going to the elephants, would have taken
the princess to carry her in; but she repulsed him, and pushing her
elephants asunder, stood erect between them. They walked from beside
her, and left her with him who had been her husband--ashamed indeed of
her gaunt uncomeliness, but unsubmissive. He stood with a welcome in his
eyes that shone through their severity.

"We have long waited for thee, Lilith!" he said.

She returned him no answer.

Eve and her daughter came to the door.

"The mortal foe of my children!" murmured Eve, standing radiant in her
beauty.

"Your children are no longer in her danger," said Mara; "she has turned
from evil."

"Trust her not hastily, Mara," answered her mother; "she has deceived a
multitude!"

"But you will open to her the mirror of the Law of Liberty, mother, that
she may go into it, and abide in it! She consents to open her hand and
restore: will not the great Father restore her to inheritance with His
other children?"

"I do not k