e?"

"They do not belong to the Invisibles, but the Visibles. But their souls
are true and faithful, and would have to mourn over the unhappy one who
could forget her vows."

"Then allow me to say that I abjure these tears, and laugh at the idea
that these hypocrites and necromancers weep over me."

"My daughter, what words are these, and how strangely altered you are!
I have come from the far north, and but just alighted from the
travelling-carriage. I came at once to see you, and hoped to be greeted
joyfully with a kiss of love, and what do I hear instead? Harsh words
filled with scorn and mockery, and disobedience against the Invisible
Fathers, to whom you have sworn fidelity and submission!"

"You have forced me to it!" she cried, impetuously. "In my own house you
came upon me and compelled me to take part in your mystic assembly."

"If one loves humanity, he must insist upon its accepting happiness,"
said Cagliostro, solemnly. "We recognized in you one of the elect, one
of the great souls which are worthy to see the light, and sun themselves
in the rays of knowledge. Therefore we accepted you among the spirits of
the alliance, and--"

"And made great promises, of which not one has been fulfilled. Where
is the title of countess, the influence, position, honor, and dignity,
which you prophesied to me?"

"Where are the deeds you promised to perform, the witnesses of your
fidelity and devotion?" he thunderingly demanded. "You have dared to
rebel against the holy alliance! Your short-sighted spirit presumes
to mock those eyes which perceive that you are straying away!
Beware--Wilhemine, beware! I came to-day to warn you, when I return it
will be to punish you. Turn, oh turn while there is yet time! Submit
your will to the Fathers, as you have sworn to do! The promised reward
will not fail, and Wilhelmine Enke will become a countess, a princess,
and the most distinguished and powerful will bow before her. The Fathers
demand of you repentance, and renunciation of the worst enemies of the
Rosicrucians. Members, and even chiefs and pioneers of the Illuminati
and Freemasons are welcomed at your house."

"Why should they not be?" asked she, smiling. "They are happy, cheerful
spirits, void of mysteries, and do not torture people with mysticisms.
They have but one aim, a great and glorious one, to free the mind from
superstition and hypocrisy. They encounter with open countenance the
false devotees who would force men