"
Marcus let fall her hand. "I think I had best go," he said.
"Yes."
Then came a pause while he seemed to be struggling with himself.
"Miriam, I cannot go."
"Marcus, you must go."
"Miriam, do you love me?"
"Marcus, may Christ forgive me, I do."
"Miriam, how much?"
"Marcus, as much as a woman may love a man."
"And yet," he broke out bitterly, "you bid me begone because I am not a
Christian."
"Because my faith is more than my love. I must offer my love upon the
altar of my faith--or, at the least," she added hurriedly, "I am bound
by a rope that cannot be cut or broken. To break it would bring down
upon your head and mine the curse of Heaven and of my parents, who are
its inhabitants."
"And if I became of your faith?"
Her whole face lit up, then suddenly its light died.
"It is too much to hope. This is not a question of casting incense on an
altar; it is a matter of a changed spirit and a new life. Oh! have done.
Why do you play with me?"
"A changed spirit and a new life. At the best that would take time."
"Yes, time and thought."
"And would you wait that time? Such beauty and such sweetness as are
yours will not lack for suitors."
"I shall wait. I have told you that I love you; no other man will be
anything to me.
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