Do not refuse me .-- I ask nothing unreasonable, Philippus.

Do as I entreat you and leave us for a moment alone." Again the physician's eyes consulted the young girl's; this time she said: "Go!" and he immediately quitted the room.
Orion closed the door.
"What have I done, Paula," he began with panting breath, "that since yesterday you have shunned me like a leper--that you are doing your utmost to bring me to ruin ?" "I mean to plead for the life of a trusty servant; nothing more," she said indifferently.
"At the risk of disgracing me!" he retorted bitterly.
"At that risk, no doubt, if you are indeed so base as to throw your own guilt on the shoulders of an honest man." "Then you watched me last night ?" "The merest chance led me to see you come out of the tablinum...." "I do not ask you now what took you there so late," he interrupted, "for it revolts me to think anything of you but the best, the highest .-- But you?
What have you experienced at my hands but friendship--nay, for concealment or dissimulation is here folly--but what a lover... ?" "A lover!" cried Paula indignantly.

"A lover?
Dare you utter the word, when you have offered your heart and hand to another--you...." "Who told you so ?" asked Orion gloomily.
"Your own mother." "That is it; so that is it ?" cried the young man, clasping his hands convulsively.

"Now I begin to see, now I understand.

But stay.