"At first, when he died——"
Her voice faltered and broke, and then rose in a cry almost shrill.
"He did not die!" she cried. "He is not dead. He lives now—here! There is no death for him—not even death until it is done."
She panted for breath; her thin chest rose and fell—and yet suddenly she checked herself and stood before him with her first strained calm.
"Go," she said. "I cannot hold you. If there is an end to be reached, reach it for God's sake and let him rest."
"Wish me God-speed," he said. "I—have more to bear than you think of."
For answer she repeated steadily words which she had uttered before.
"I do not believe in it; I have never believed for one hour."