There came a light tap at the door, and she awoke as it were from a trance which possessed her.

She drew her hands over her face, with a long sigh; she knelt down swiftly, and crossed herself, making an obeisance, for I deem that her saints had been with her, wherefore I also crossed myself and prayed.

Then she rose and cried "Enter!" and ere I could speak she had passed into the oratory, and I was alone with Elliot.
Elliot gave one low cry, and cast her arms about my neck, hiding her face on my breast, and sobbing as if her heart would break.
"I have been mad, I have been bad!" she moaned.

"Oh! say hard words to me, and punish me, my love." But I had no word to say, only I fell back into a great chair for very weakness, holding my lady in my arms.
And thus, with words few enough, but great delight, the minutes went past, till she lifted her wet face and her fragrant hair; and between laughing and crying, studied on my face and caressed me, touching my thin cheek, and wept and laughed again.

"I was mad," she whispered; "it seemed as if a devil entered into me.