arcely a
breath of wind. The tide was rising, wave after wave rolled in, fell
over, and swept up the beach in a thin white sheet of foam. Further out
the sea was calm and deserted, only in the extreme distance the lights
of some passing steamer crept over the smooth dark waters like tiny
glowworms.

Wilhelm's mind was in a tumult. This woman--what a strange, terrifying
creature. Why was she throwing herself at his head? And who knows if
only at his? And then--what need to tell him her story? Perhaps it was
a wild, insane flare of passion; but how could he have roused it? There
was nothing in him to account for it. And she did not know him--knew
nothing about his life or his character. She was beautiful
certainly--beautiful and alluring, and clever and original--a most
exceptional woman. She might well be able to disarm a man of his
self-control, and paralyze his will. But after that--what then? How
would it end? Better not begin--not begin. That would be the wisest
ending.

He left the shore and returned to the hotel. The view before him was
remarkable. At the further end of the street rose the church, its
Gothic flourishes outlined sharply against the lighter background of
the sky. Just behind it stood the full moon, tracing--as if for its
amusement--the silhouette of the roof of the church tower upon the
ground. Where the shadow of the church ended, the moon poured its
silvery light in a broad flood over the street, and further off
painted, with, a bold stroke of the brush, a glittering streak of white
light across the sea, away to the semi-transparent mists on the horizon.

Passing first through the shimmering light, and then through the black
shadow of the church, Wilhelm reached the hotel, where the lights were
already extinguished. Without lighting the candle, which he found ready
for him at the foot of the stairs, he mounted to his room. He was
surprised, on reaching the door, to find Fido lying in front of it, his
nose resting on his outstretched paws.

"I suppose they have shut you out, and you want a night's lodging with
me," said Wilhelm; "very well, I won't refuse you my hospitality--come
in."

He opened the door and let the dog pass in before him, then followed,
pushed the bolt, and put the candlestick down on the table. Suddenly
two cool, bare arms were laid about his neck, and his startled cry was
smothered by the pressure of two burning lips upon his own.

CHAPTER XI.

IN THE HORSELBERG