“Oskar, do you still think that when all this is over, and the hatred and bitterness have died out of people’s hearts, they will make war on each other no longer?” “Yes, in the years to come, perhaps--or they must wipe themselves off the earth, Mona.” “And do you think that God will accept our sacrifice?” “I’m sure He will--because we shall have died for love and given up all.” “Yes, we shall have died for love and given up all,” says Mona, and after that she liberates her hand and walks on firmly. As they approach the crest of the hill the deep murmur of the sea comes over to them, and when they reach the top its salt breath smites their faces. There it lies in a broad half-circle, stretching from east to west, cold and grey and cruel. Mona trembles, and the revulsion which comes to the strongest souls at the first sight of death seizes her for an instant. In a faltering voice she says: “It won’t be long, will it, Oskar?” “No, it won’t be long, Mona.” “Only a few moments?” “Yes, only a few moments.” “And then we shall be together again for ever?” “For ever.” “Oh, I shan’t care if at the cost of a few moments of suffering I can be happy with you for ever.” She is not afraid now. In front of them are the heather-clad slopes that go down to the precipitous cliffs. They clasp hands again and walk forward. Tears are in their eyes, but the light of heaven is there also. In a few minutes more they are on the cliff head. It overhangs the sea, which is heaving and singing in its many voices, seventy feet below. The sun is rising, and the sky to the east is flecked with crimson. There is nothing else in sight anywhere, and no other sound except the cry of the sea fowl on the rocks beneath. “This is the place, isn’t it?” “This is the place, Mona.” “Shall we do as we intended?” “Yes, let us do as we intended.” And then these two children of the universal Father, cast out of the company of men, separated in life and about to be united in death, go through the burial service which they have appointed for themselves. First, they kneel on the cliff edge, as close as they can get to it, and repeat their prayer: “_Our Father, who art in Heaven ..._ _Geheiligt wird dein name ..._ _Forgive us our trespasses ..._ _As we forgive them that trespass against us...._” Then they rise, and, standing hand in hand, with their heads up and their faces to the sea, they sing their hymn: “_Jesu, lover of my soul ..._ _Lass mir an dein brust liegen...._” Then Oskar unfastens his coat, and taking off the long belt he is wearing he straps it about both of them. They are now eye to eye, breast to breast, heart to heart. “The time has come, hasn’t it, Oskar?” “Yes, the time has come, Mona.” “I can kiss you now, can’t I?” He puts his arms tenderly about her and kisses her on the lips. She kisses him. It is their first kiss and their last. “God bless you for loving me, Oskar.”