All about them was darkness, silence as of the tomb; the heavy smell of earth; the dank chill of the grave.
Yet theirs was life more abundant; theirs, joy undreamed of; theirs, love beyond all imagining, while those moments lasted.
Then——
The hands about his neck loosened, unclasped, fell gently away.
He set free her lips, and they took their liberty.
He unlocked his arms, and stepping back she stood erect, like a fair white lily, needing no prop nor stay.
So they stood for a space, looking upon one another in silence. This thing which had happened, was too wonderful for speech.
Then the Prioress turned the key in the lock.
The heavy door swung open.
A dim, grey light, like a pearly dawn at sea, came downwards from the crypt.