Geisner turned round at last and looked him full in the face.
"Lust only," he answered, "and there is no shame to which Woman cannot drag Man. Love and there is nothing possible but what is manly and true."
As he spoke, along the terraced path below them came Nellie, advancing towards them with her free swinging walk and tall lissom figure, noticeable even at a distance among the Sunday promenaders.
"See?" said Geisner, smiling, laying his hand on Ned's arm. "This is
Paradise and there comes Eve."
PART II. HE KNEW HIMSELF NAKED.
In yesterday's reach and to-morrow's,
Out of sight though they lie of to-day,
There have been and there yet shall be sorrows
That smite not and bite not in play.
The life and the love thou despisest,
These hurt us indeed and in vain,
O wise among women, and, wisest,
Our Lady of Pain.—SWINBURNE.
CHAPTER I.
THE SLAUGHTER OF AN INNOCENT.
Mrs. Hobb's baby was dying.