"Verily, where Christ is Heaven is. Thou hast moved in such splendor of light, Signora de' Franchi, thou dost not realize thy privilege. But I, who have always walked in darkness, am as a blind man restored to sight. I was ambitious, lustful, torn by doubts and questionings; now I am bathed in the divine peace, all my questions answered, my riotous blood assuaged. Love, love, that is all; the surrender of one's will to the love that moves the sun and all the stars, as your Dante says. And sun and stars do but move to this end, Signora--that human souls may be born and die to live, in oneness with Love. Oh, my brethren"--he stretched out his arms yearningly, and his eyes and his voice were full of tears--"why do ye haggle in the market-place? Why do ye lay up store of gold and silver? Why do ye chase the futile shadows of earthly joy? This, this is the true ecstasy, to give yourself up to God, all in all, to ask only to be the channel of His holy will." Helena's face was full of a grave wonder; for a moment an answering light was reflected on it as though she yearned for the strange raptures she could not understand. "All this is sheer folly. Thy brethren hear thee now as little as they will ever hear thee." "I shall pray night and day that my lips may be touched with the sacred fire." "Love, too, is a sacred fire. Dost thou purpose to live without that?" She drew nearer. Her breath stirred the black lock on his forehead. He moved back a pace, thrilling. "I shall have divine Love, Signora." "Thou art bent on becoming a Dominican?" "I am fixed." "The cloister will content thee?" "It will be Heaven." "Ay, where there is no marrying nor giving in marriage. What Samson-creed is this that pulls down the pillars of human society?" "Nay, marriage is in the scheme. 'Tis the symbol of a diviner union. But it is not for all men. It is not for those who symbolize divine things otherwise, who typify to their fellow-men the flesh crucified, the soul sublimed. It is not for priests." "But thou art not a priest." "'Tis a question of days. But were I even refused orders I should still remain celibate." "Still remain celibate! Wherefore?"