The whisper made him faint with joy.
'What has fear to do with love, O thou with heaven in thine eyes! what room is there for fear in the heart where thy beauty dwells? Speak again, speak again, my beloved, and bless me above all men that live!'
'Basil! Basil! Utter my name once more. I never knew how sweet it could sound.'
'Nor I, how soft could be the sound of mine. Forgive me, O Veranilda, that out of my love pain has come to you. You will not ever be sad again? You will not think ever again of those bygone sorrows?'
She bent her head low.
'Can you believe in my truth, O Basil? Can you forget?'
'All save the nobleness of her who bore you, sweet and fair one.'
'Let that be ever in your thought,' said Veranilda, with a radiant look. 'She sees me now; and my hope, your strength and goodness, bring new joy to her in the life eternal.'
'Say the word I wait for—whisper low—the word of all words.'
'Out of my soul, O Basil, I love you!'