I shall wed no other man."
"You give all and take nothing; it is not just."
"It is as God has willed. If it pleases God to touch your heart and to
preserve us both alive, then in days to come our lives may be one life.
Otherwise they must run apart till perchance we meet--in the eternal
morning."
"Oh, Miriam, I cannot leave you thus! Teach me as you will."
"Nay, go, Marcus, and teach yourself. Am I a bait to win your soul? The
path is not so easy, it is very difficult. Fare you well!"
"May I write to you from Rome?" he asked.
"Yes, why not, if by that time you should care to write, who then will
have recovered from this folly of the desert and an idle moon?"
"I shall write and I shall return, and we will talk of these matters;
so, most sweet, farewell."
"Farewell, Marcus, and the love of God go with you."
"What of your love?"
"My love is with you ever who have won my heart."
"Then, Miriam, at least I have not lived in vain. Remember this always,
that much as I may worship you, I honour you still more," and kneeling
before her he kissed first her hand, and next the hem of her robe. Then
he turned and went.
That night, watching from the roof of her house by the light of the full
moon, Miriam saw Marcus ride away at the head of his band of soldiers.
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