Helen Thorne (recovering full consciousness, and with it sudden strength, lifts herself to a sitting posture; looks about her; half rises. Suddenly she recognizes her husband, where he stands aloof. She cries plaintively). Esmerald?—Isn’t it over yet? Esmerald! Have you forgotten me? Don’t you care for me any more?... (piteously). Oh, Death! I did not think that thou wouldst crucify me ... so!
(Sudden darkness falls. When it passes, the gulf, the dark mountain, the underground river, the ravines are gone. Slow and sweet light returns softly. It is the setting of the sun. The perspective of the Heavenly City and spirits are as before. The grim scenery surrounding the mouth of the River of Death has given place to a fair meadow, sunny and open. Some of the boulders remain, and the path which cut through the ravine now runs across the field. Clumps of trees and thick shrubs break the space between the foreground and the distant spirits, and the path turns a curve through a thicket of roses. Lilies as before grow higher than any other flowers, and nearer to the eye.)
Helen Thorne (stands, tall and glorious. Faint color has returned to her pale face. Her expression is radiant. She looks downward and stretches down her hands; speaks, very softly). Dear!
Dr. Thorne (prostrate at his wife’s feet, speaks). Forgive! Forgive me, Helen.
(Helen Thorne smiles divinely. Stoops to lift him up.)
(Dr. Thorne resists her still, and, fallen at her feet, he draws the hem of her robe slowly to his lips. Then he lays his cheek upon her feet before he reverently kisses them.)
Dr. Thorne. I said ... oh, I have broken my heart for what I said ... to you!
Helen Thorne (reaches down her beautiful arms to him. Draws him up). Why, my poor Love! My dear Love! Did you think I would remember that?
(Dr. Thorne arises. Holds out his shaking arms; does not speak.)
(Helen Thorne in silence creeps to him, not royally, like a wife who was wronged; but like the sweetest woman in the world, who loves him because she cannot help it, and would not if she could. Her face falls upon his breast.)