How much better humanity might have been had we been at the world's making we cannot tell, but as it is, the Creator knows that a woman whose veins are pulsing with youth does not know, as she stands between her lovers, how far influences not born of reason are affecting her understanding.

Ephraim remained neglectful, and Susannah remembered with more and more distinct compassion Halsey's wistful face and the touch of his trembling hand.

But the emotion which is deeper than human love was also in ferment.

The shock which she had received, aided by the pressure at home, had effectually worked religious unrest.

She was certain now that she must do some new thing to obtain peace with God.