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286 "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil, but whosoever smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

"Thou hast heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you."

As the woman read these words, the evil ones fell back from her for a time, while the cloud of darkness lifted for a little. Then Philip paused to take breath, while Adela murmured,—

"Oh, Philip, I am so weary; it seems so long, so hopeless."

As she moaned this the dark cloud of evil conceptions suddenly parted, as if cleft in two, and next instant Apollonius stood beside them.

"You have both done much, although it appears so little. Let me aid you with this poor soul, at present stranded on the flinty rocks of that narrow and hopeless faith. Yes, it is a difficult task to push back and disarm those other lost spirits who are drawn here by the bonds of blood, harder to liberate such spirits than to lift the most degraded of criminals, because he knows that he has done wrong, while she and they still think that they have done right, that their cold and loveless morality is good, and their vindictive wrath just."

"Oh, friend, it seemed so hopeless before you came; we can do so little."

"It requires a mortal's strength; therefore I have come, for I still retain my mortal frame."

"But will she not see you, and resent your presence? She is very proud and unapproachable," said Philip. To which the sage replied,—