said a remedy. If a knowledge of certain powerful herbs, which,
properly combined, will form a specific to ease the suffering wretch--an
art well known unto my mother, and which I now would fain recall--if
that knowledge, or a wish to regain that knowledge, be unholy, then are
you correct."

"I heard thee call upon thy mother for her help."

"I did, for she well knew the ingredients; but I, I fear, have not the
knowledge that she had. Is that sinful, good father?"

"'Tis, then, a remedy that you would find?" replied the priest; "I
thought that thou didst practise that which is most unlawful."

"Can the burning of a few weeds be then unlawful? What did you expect
to find? Look you, father, at these ashes--they may, with oil, be
rubbed into the pores and give relief--but can they do more? What do
you expect from them--a ghost?--a spirit?--like the prophet raised for
the King of Israel?" And Amine laughed aloud.

"I am perplexed, but not convinced," replied the priest.

"I, too, am perplexed and not convinced," responded Amine, scornfully.
"I cannot satisfy myself that a man of your discretion could really
suppose that there was mischief in burning weeds; nor am I convinced
that such was the occasion of your visit at this hour of the night to a
lone woman's chamber. There may be natural charms more powerful than
those you call supernatural. I pray you, father, leave this chamber.
It is not seemly. Should you again presume, you leave the house. I
thought better of you. In future, I will not be left at any time
alone."

This attack of Amine's upon the reputation of the old priest was too
severe. Father Mathias immediately quitted the room, saying, as he went
out, "May God forgive you for your false suspicions and great injustice!
I came here for the cause I have stated, and no more."

"Yes!" soliloquised Amine, as the door closed, "I know you did; but I
must rid myself of your unwelcome company. I will have no spy upon my
actions--no meddler to thwart me in my will. In your zeal you have
committed yourself, and I will take the advantage you have given me. Is
not the privacy of a woman's chamber to be held sacred by you sacred
men! In return for assistance in distress--for food and shelter--you
would become a spy. How grateful, and how worthy of the creed which you
profess!" Amine opened her door as soon as she had removed the censer,
and summoned one of the women of the house to stay that night in