And there, Lysbeth, by some wonderful mercy, I found my prayer answered and my doubts solved, for the great St.Paul had foreseen this case, as in that Book all cases are foreseen, and I read how the unbelieving wife may be sanctified by the husband, and the unbelieving husband by the wife.

Then everything grew clear to me, and I determined to speak.

And now, dear, I have spoken, and it is for you to answer." "Dirk, dear Dirk," she replied almost with a cry, "alas! for the answer which I must give you.

Renounce the error of your ways, make confession, and be reconciled to the Church and--I will marry you.

Otherwise I cannot, no, and although I love you, you and no other man"-- here she put an energy into her voice that was almost dreadful--"with all my heart and soul and body; I cannot, I cannot, I cannot!" Dirk heard, and his ruddy face turned ashen grey.
"Cousin," he replied, "you seek of me the one thing which I must not give.