Their intercourse continued. By degrees Evadne related to her friend the

whole of her story, the stain her name had received in Greece, the weight

of sin which had accrued to her from the death of her husband. When Raymond

offered to clear her reputation, and demonstrate to the world her real

patriotism, she declared that it was only through her present sufferings

that she hoped for any relief to the stings of conscience; that, in her

state of mind, diseased as he might think it, the necessity of occupation

was salutary medicine; she ended by extorting a promise that for the space

of one month he would refrain from the discussion of her interests,

engaging after that time to yield in part to his wishes. She could not

disguise to herself that any change would separate her from him; now she

saw him each day. His connection with Adrian and Perdita was never

mentioned; he was to her a meteor, a companionless star, which at its

appointed hour rose in her hemisphere, whose appearance brought felicity,

and which, although it set, was never eclipsed. He came each day to her

abode of penury, and his presence transformed it to a temple redolent with

sweets, radiant with heaven's own light; he partook of her delirium. "They

built a wall between them and the world"--Without, a thousand harpies

raved, remorse and misery, expecting the destined moment for their

invasion. Within, was the peace as of innocence, reckless blindless,

deluding joy, hope, whose still anchor rested on placid but unconstant

water.

Thus, while Raymond had been wrapt in visions of power and fame, while he

looked forward to entire dominion over the elements and the mind of man,

the territory of his own heart escaped his notice; and from that unthought

152

The Last Man