e pressure of want, of hunger. It is the opinions that you so condemn
which alone at this moment supply bread to the writer. But say you will
yet pardon me,--yet give me trial if I offend no more--if I withdraw
my aid to any attacks on your views, your religion--if I say, 'Thy God
shall be my God, and thy people shall be my people.'"

"Alas!" said Isaura, softly, "ask thyself if those be words which I can
believe again. Hush!" she continued, checking his answer with a more
kindling countenance and more impassioned voice. "Are they, after all,
the words that man should address to woman? Is it on the strength of
Woman that Man should rely? Is it to her that he should say, 'Dictate
my opinions on all that belongs to the Mind of man; change the doctrines
that I have thoughtfully formed and honestly advocate; teach me how
to act on earth, clear all my doubts as to my hopes of heaven'? No,
Gustave; in this task man never should repose on woman. Thou are honest
at this moment, my poor friend; but could I believe thee to-day, thou
wouldst laugh tomorrow at what woman can be made to believe."

Stung to the quick by the truth of Isaura's accusation, Gustave
exclaimed with vehemence: "All that thou sayest is false, and thou
knowest it. The influence of woman on man for good or for evil defies
reasoning. It does mould his deeds on earth; it does either make or mar
all that future which lies between his life and his gravestone, and
of whatsoever may lie beyond the grave. Give me up now, and thou art
responsible for me, for all I do, it may be against all that thou
deemest holy. Keep thy troth yet awhile, and test me. If I come to
thee showing how I could have injured, and how for thy dear sake I have
spared, nay, aided, all that thou dost believe and reverence, then wilt
thou dare to say, 'Go thy ways alone--I forsake thee!'"

Isaura turned aside her face, but she held out her hand--it was as cold
as death. He knew that she had so far yielded, and his vanity exulted:
he smiled in secret triumph as he pressed his kiss on that icy hand and
was gone.

"This is duty--it must be duty," said Isaura to herself. "But where is
the buoyant delight that belongs to a duty achieved?--where? oh where?"
And then she stole with drooping head and heavy step into her own room,
fell on her knees, and prayed.

CHAPTER VIII.

In vain persons, be they male or female, there is a complacent
self-satisfaction in any momentary personal success, h