"You have heard then that I am setting out for the Radiant City?" he questioned.
"I have heard some such nonsense," she answered, turning away her face from his steady gaze, "but you will have to chose between the Radiant City and me, for I will not have a husband who is the laughing stock of everyone, you are mad to give up this post."
"You will have a husband who is more worth having," he answered, "and you will come with me."
The idea was so amusing to the girl that she turned round and laughed at him.
"The journey would not suit me," she said, "neither would the company," and she threw a defiant look up at him; "think of me enduring the hardships which they say await pilgrims to the Radiant City; I should be frightened to death with it all. Besides," she added, with a spice of coquetry in her eyes, "the company would be dull."
Amer looked down upon her with a mystified expression of face. "You do not love me enough then to be willing to leave all besides?" he asked.
"Not if you go on this pilgrimage. Already I find you different to what you were before you heard the herald. You used to say then that you would follow me to the end of Punon, but now you wish me to follow you out of it, you do not love me as you used to do."
In a minute Amer was on his knees beside her, telling her in passionate language that his love was even stronger than it used to be, that it was as strong as death.
"Then," said Gabrielle, "prove it and give up these ridiculous fancies of yours. Why should you set yourself up as better than other people? Think of the many who have gone in for this business; you do not suppose that you are better than they?"
"No," said Amer, "but I have heard the Voice."