“And you will not endure martyrdom?”
“No.”
“You will go without me?”
He looked at her entreatingly.
“Sophia, dearest, do not listen to those madmen. There is no need to burn. God never willed it. It is a sin, a temptation of the devil. Let us go away together, loved one.”
She bent lower still over him with a subtle, tender smile, her face almost touched his; he felt her burning breath.
“You shall not go,” she murmured in a passionate whisper. “I won’t let you go.”
She suddenly took his head between her hands and kissed him on the lips.
“Sister, sister, what are you doing? This is not allowed. We might be seen.”
“Let them see us! Everything is permitted now! the fire will purge it all! Only say you will burn. Do you will it?” she asked in a faint whisper, clinging closer and closer to him.