The Shepherd's Flute, 6.
yourself above the laws of conjugal monality?"
"I do not understand,” cried Dionysia, perplexed,
"what you mean to say by all this. I have not the
slightest inclination to try any such thing, and I
assure you that I feel perfectly satisfied and happy
in my present state."
"I do not doubt that, Dionysia. But do you still
not understand that this has no further meaning for
me, and can have none, now that in the still hours
of the night I have been given to see that the pro¬
foundest secret of your soul may yet slumber bidden
and unawakened within you? In order that I may find
peace, which otherwise is forever lost to me, it is
indispensible that this secret should be brought to
light; and therefore, Dionysia, I have decided to set
jou free."
"To set me free?" repeated Dionysia helelessly,
with wide-opened eyes.
Erasmus continued undisturbed: "Pay attention
to me, Dionysia, and try to understand me. From
this moment I surrender all the rights over you which
have Ritherto been vested in me: the right of warning
you, of lrestraining you, and of punishing you. In-