not think there may be some deeper reason than simple locality and
single blessedness? Would it not be natural to look for the cause in
the individual?"

"Undoubtedly you are right," she answered, "but your premises do not
apply to my case, for neither God nor nature ever intended that I
should live this life. Oh, Paul, believe me when I tell you that I
know whereof I speak. Do not judge me as you would another; some day
you may know, but I can not tell you now."

She spoke pleadingly, as imploring to be released from some awful
incubus which it was impossible to explain. Paul listened in deep
perplexity, and swore that the powers of heaven and earth should
never come between them. So different was she from any girl that he
had ever seen, that her very eccentricity bound him to her with a
magic spell. When he had again asked her if Ah Ben would oppose their
marriage, or indeed if any one else would, she declared that no human
being would raise a voice against it.

"Then what is to hinder us?" he asked; "I am poor, but I can support
you; not perhaps in such luxury as you are accustomed to, but I can
give you a home; and if you are so unhappy here, why submit to
unnecessary delay?"

He had become impassioned and enthused by the girl's strange
influence over him.

"True, Paul, there are none to hinder us," she replied seriously,
"that is, no one but--but--"