“And, as the light of the dawn grew strong upon the mountains, he, my other self, my wraith, blessed me.”
There was a long silence between us. Then I said:—
“And now?”
“And now you know why I have changed. That day, as I went down into the land of the sunshine, I made a vow.”
“A vow?”
“Yes; to be his crown, not his cross. I soon returned to England. At first I was happy, and then one day my old evil nature came upon me like a giant. I fell again into sin, and, even as I sinned, I saw his face looking into mine, Bernard, pale, pale to the lips, and with eyes—such sad eyes of reproach! Then I thought I was not fit to live, and I tried to kill myself. They saved me, and brought me here.”
“Yes; and now, Hubert?”
“Now,” he said, “I am so happy. God surely placed me here where I cannot sin. The days pass and the nights, and they are stainless. And he—he comes by night and blesses me. I live for him now, and see always the grey walls of his monastery, his face which shall, at last, be completely mine.”