_Adr._ Sophie ... let it be the light from Heaven, not poor human love. _Soph._ [_Drawing back_] Have I--am I--mistaken? _Adr._ No. I love you as I have prayed never to love in my life. _Soph._ And I love you as I have prayed all my life I might love. _Adr._ There are greater things--than this. _Soph._ I know. It is because of those greater things that I love you. [_Touching him gently_] And how can love be anything but a help--a blessing? _Adr._ By taking no second place; by making itself master, as it always does; as it is doing now. [_Moves from her in agitation, which he suppresses, and speaks steadily_] Years ago I gave myself to mankind. A poor gift, but the surrender was hard, for I loved myself and believed in giants, if not gods, who shoulder above the race. But the surrender was complete. And now shall I take another self in you? One that I could never give up? [_She is silent. A woman approaches without, moaning. Adrian goes to the door_] Anna? _Anna._ [_Appearing at door_] My lad is dead, sir. He wanted to see you again, but there was none to send. Each is busy with his own. _Adr._ Dear Nikola! God's rest is his. _Anna._ Yes. Heaven is a good place for our children. 'Tis better with me than Uliana. Her Petrov may live, but he will never walk. Can you come to-night and sit a bit by the lad? I'm almost thinkin' he would know it, sir. _Adr._ I will come, Anna. _Anna._ Just a bit. I wouldn't keep you from the living. God bless you, sir! [_Goes. Adrian remains in door until her footsteps die away, then returns to Sophie_] _Adr._ You know what my work means. The daily offering up of the body to prison and death. That does not matter now, but if you were in danger, as my wife would always be, do you doubt that I would try to save you at the risk of all for which I have lived? And I have lived for it because it was the one righteous way for me. _Soph._ I should never come between you and your work. _Adr._ I gave up ambition--I would rather move with the multitude one step nearer the light than with my two hands catch at the sun. I gave up art--what right had I to retreat into the beautiful while my brothers lay blind without? Burnish my spirit to reflect gleams beyond the stars, while children were without bread? But love? O, I thought God would spare me this! _Soph._ Adrian--you don't understand--I should not be in your way--your work would be mine---- _Adr._ O, _you_ don't understand--you can't, for you are a woman, whose natural breath is the incense of sacrifice. But in me there is no angel. If you were mine, I would risk everything to hold you--one bit of rosy flesh that I might kiss! _Soph._ [_Softly_] I know you better than that. _Adr._ Even now I am trembling for you, thinking more of your safety than of the poor people who are waiting for me as their only hope. You must leave here at once--cease trying to protect me--what you have done for Vasil may arouse the suspicions of Petrizoff----