He was swinging up the long steps now, the dawn white and clear about him. Here was where he had turned that morning and saw her standing afar off, bright under the black shade, come back to him! Here was where he had been near enough to see her face, her brows drawn together, the seeking look in her eyes. He had always thought Marise's eyes seemed to be looking for something. Here was where he had seen that they looked frightened. And now he stood on the very spot where she had stood, and he saw again her eyes soften into quiet trust.
If somehow she might find in him what she was looking for! His heart stood still in awe.
He looked out over the sleeping city, its roofs and domes and towers coming palely into the new day; and he saw her dark eyes soften from fright to quiet trust.
God! Suppose he had never lived, never known Marise! The sweat stood out on him at the thought.
If she could ... if she could look into his face and find that life had put there what she sought.
The sun rose magnificently and cast over all the world a flood of golden light.
Neale stood in it, praising and magnifying God, who had sent him into life.
CHAPTER LVI
They were on their way to hear a Palestrina mass in a chapel at St. Peter's, and stopped beside one of the great fountains rushing with a leap into the brilliant air and falling in white clouds of spray.