She looked at him with shining eyes, her heart all woman, and the noblest of woman—strong, unflinching.
He looked at her and hesitated.
"How can I leave you?" he said. "I cannot start off again."
"Leave me?" she asked. "What talk is this of leaving me?"
"But you would have me go."
"But will I not be with you? Does not your Capsina sail on her ship, and why not I on my husband's?"
"No, no!" he cried, stung out of self. "That were still worse. If I went my comfort would be that you were here safe; that, if I came back, I should still find you here.. Let it suffice then. I go, but alone."
Again she smiled.
"Let it suffice, Nikola," she said; "you go not alone."
He looked up at her with his peering eyes.