In the stormy play of his troubled life there was a brief interlude of peace.

He tasted the fruit of the lotus, his lips were moistened in the sweet waters of forgetfulness.
The lady spoke at last, and the spell left him, not broken, as by a sudden shock, but losing its strong power by quick degrees until it was wholly gone.
"I will answer your question by another," said the lady.

"Let your reply be the plain truth.

It will be better so." "Ask what you will.

I have nothing to conceal." "Do you know who and what I am?
Do you come here out of curiosity, in the vain hope of knowing me, having heard of me from others ?" "Assuredly not." A faint flush rose in the man's pale and noble face.
"You have my word," he said, in the tone of one who is sure of being believed, "that I have never, to my knowledge, heard of your existence, that I am ignorant even of your name--forgive my ignorance--and that I entered this house, not knowing whose it might be, seeking and following after one for whom I have searched the world, one dearly loved, long lost, long sought." "It is enough.