y qualities there and transmuting all the rest into pure metal--my
own soul's alchemist--your heritage is the secret of power."

"I don't believe I understand all you are saying, David. I only see that
I have a very hard task before me, and now I know it is hard for you,
too. Your mother made it clear to me that your true place is not living
here as a doctor, even though you do so much good among us. I saw all at
once that men are born each to fill a place in the world, and I think
each man's measure should be the height of his own power and ability,
nothing lower than that; and I see it--your power will be there, not
here, where it must be limited by our limits and ignorance. That is your
own country over there. It claims you--and I--I--there is the
difference, you know. Think of your mother, and then of mine. David, I
must not-- Oh, David! You must be unhampered--free--what can I--what can
we do?"

"We can just go down the mountain, sane beings, to our own little cabin,
belonging to each other first of all." He took her hand and led her
along the path, carpeted with pine needles and fallen leaves. "And then,
when you are ready and willing--not before, love--we will go home--to my
home--just like this, together."

She caught her breath. "Listen, for I am seeing visions too, now, as
you have taught me. I will lead you through those halls and show you to
all those dead ancestors, and I will dress you in a silken gown, the
color of the evening star we used to watch together from our cabin door,
and around your neck I will hang the yellow pearls that have been worn
by all those great ladies who stared at you from out their frames of
gold the day you came alone and unrecognized, bearing your priceless
gift in your arms. You shall wear the rich old lace of the family on
your bosom, and the jewelled coronet on your head; and no one will see
the silk and the jewels and the lace, for looking at you and at the gift
you bring.

"No, don't speak; it is my turn now to see the pictures. All will be
yours, whatever you see and touch in those stately homes--for you will
be the Lady Thryng, and, being the Lady Thryng, you will be no more
wonderful or beautiful than you were when you climbed to me, following
my flute notes, or when you bent between me and the fire preparing my
supper, or when you were weaving at your loom, or when you came to me
from our cabin door with your arms outstretched and the light of all the
stars of heaven