“Ah, that's all right, Glory. Ever since I heard from you I have been dealing with the bonds which bound me to London one by one, unravelling some and breaking others. They are all discharged now, every one of them, and I need think of them no more. Self is put behind forever, and I can stand before God and say: 'Do with me as you will; I am ready for anything--anything!'” “Oh!” “Crying, Glory? My poor, dear child! But why are you crying?” “It's nothing!” “Are you sure--quite sure? Am I asking too much of you? Don't let us deceive ourselves--think----” “Let us talk of something else now.” She began to laugh. “Look at me, John--don't I look well to-day?” “You always look well, Glory.” “But isn't there any difference--this dress, for instance?” Then his sight came back and his big eyes sparkled. “How beautiful you are, dear!” “Really? Do I look nice then--really?” “My beautiful, beautiful girl!” Her head was thrown back, and she glowed with joy. “Don't come too near me, you know--don't crush me.” “Nay, no fear of that--I should be afraid.” “Not that I mustn't be touched exactly.” “What will they think, I wonder, those poor, lost creatures, so ugly, so disfigured?” “And my red hair. This colour suits it, doesn't it?” “Some Madonna, they'll say; the very picture of the mother of God herself!” “Are you--are you afraid of me in this frock, dear? Shall I run and take it off?” “No--no; let me look at you again.” “But you don't like me to-day, for all that.” “I?” “Do you know you've never once kissed me since you came into the room?” “Glory!” “My love! my love!” “And you,” he said, close to her lips, “are you ready for anything?” “Anything,” she whispered. At the next moment she was holding herself off with her arms stiff about his neck, that she might look at him and at her lace sleeves at the same time. Suddenly a furrow crossed his brow. He had remembered the Father's warning, and was summoning all his strength. “But out there I'll love you as a sister, Glory.” “Ah!” “For the sake of those poor doomed beings cut off from earthly love we'll love each other as the angels love.” “Yes, that is the highest, purest, truest love, no doubt. Still----” “What does the old Talmud say?--'He who divorces himself from the joys of earth weds himself to the glories of Paradise.'” Her lashes were still wet; she was gazing deep into his eyes. “And to think of being united in the next world, Glory--what happiness, what ecstasy!” “Love me in this world, dearest,” she whispered. “You'll be their youth, Glory, their strength, their loveliness!” “Be mine, darling, be mine!”