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164 gratitude, and prudence? Why will you trust to an arm of flesh? Has the Demon, the prince of destruction, blinded your eyes? Have the treasures you have created here for yourself hardened your heart, and darkened your understanding? If Helen could speak I am sure she would now say: "My beloved husband, be not foolish, worship not me!" She is beautiful, but she is dust; her spirit is, I know, divine. These riches cannot redeem you from the wrath of your offended Maker. Worship Him! Worship the Son who died to save you, without whom you cannot inherit eternal life! If you persist in your own way, believe me, you will never see your Helen again; you will never see the light of the sun again, or the grass, or the trees, or the splendid lakes and mountains. The beauty of your person will be changed into the revolting similitude of a demon—perhaps going, like him, up and down on the earth, seeking whom you may devour! Love your Helen wisely, but not too well. Turn and seek, as you well know how to do, a happy and glorious immortality!'

He had risen from his knees while I was speaking, and now stood facing me with an offended air; but when I had finished, and expected nothing less than a great outburst of passion, he quietly said:

'You are right, and I am wrong; let us go!'

He led the way round the vast apartment. There was nothing in it except what might be supposed to give pleasure to its male and female occupants, had they been capable of enjoying them. Nothing revolting or horrible met my view. The walls were adorned with beautiful pictures. The tables, of which there were two long rows, were loaded with vases of artificial flowers, baskets and boxes full of precious stones, statuettes, and ornaments of gold and silver. There were exquisite models of mansions and castles, surrounded by beautiful parks and stately woods, similar to those I had