the stars clung to
this woman. It seemed a thing impossible that she should be less pure
than the air and the waters, than the dewy grass beneath and the sky
cool overhead. He knew not that the devil sat from the first day of
creation on Eden wall, that human sin is all but as eternal as human
good, and that passion rises out of its own ashes like the phoenix
bird of fable and stands again all beautiful before us, a creature of
fire and dew.

Presently the lady rose to her feet, and gave the Earl her hand to
lead her to a couch.

"Set a footstool by me," she bade him, "I desire to talk to you."

"You know not my name," she said, after a pause that was like a
caress, "though I know yours. But then the sun in mid-heaven cannot be
hidden, though nameless bide the thousand stars. Shall I tell you
mine? It is a secret; nevertheless, I will tell you if such be your
desire."

"I care not whether you tell me or no," he answered, looking up into
her face from the low seat at her feet. "Birth cannot add to your
beauty, nor sparse quarterings detract from your charm. I have enough
of both, good lack! And little good they are like to do me."

"Shall I tell you now," she went on, "or will you wait till you convoy
me to Edinburgh?"

"To Edinburgh!" cried the young man, greatly astonished. "I have no
purpose of journeying to that town of mine enemies. I have been
counselled oft by those who love me to remain in mine own country. My
horoscope bids me refrain. Not for a thousand commands of King or
Chancellor will I go to that dark and bloody town, wherein they say
lies waiting the curse of my house."

"But you will go to please a woman?" she said, and leaned nearer to
him, looking deep into his eyes.

For a moment William Douglas wavered. For a moment he resisted. But
the dark, steadfast orbs thrilled him to the soul, and his own heart
rose insurgent against his reason.

"I will come if you ask me," he said. "You are more beautiful than I
had dreamed any woman could be."

"I do ask you!" she continued, without removing her eyes from his
face.

"Then I will surely come!" he replied.

She set her hand beneath his chin and bent smilingly and lightly to
kiss him, but with an imprisoned passionate cry the young man suddenly
clasped her in his arms. Yet even as he did so, his eyes fell upon two
figures, which, silent and motionless, stood by the open door of the
pavilion.

CHAPTER V

THE WITCH WOMAN

One of th