A summons came from the triclinium, and Marcius arose to conduct them thither. Being the guest of honor, Rebecca was invited to lead the way with the host, and they started, side by side, through a spacious corridor.
“Pardon me, if I confess that thy fair face calleth up some dim fancy of the past. How deceitful is the imagination, and how confusing!”
The heart of Rebecca gave a great leap, but she maintained the outward semblance of calmness.
“Of all our faculties perhaps it is the most commonly undisciplined,” she replied; “but, perchance we may tame and cultivate it, and increase its usefulness.”
“Thou speakest discreetly. Our new philosophy showeth that when rightly employed everything is helpful, which must include even the imagination.”
“Yea, I am learning to see the good whichever way I turn. What a joy to live in a world where we can embellish every person and thing with our divine thought concerning them!”
When unobserved, Marcius cast another quick, tender glance upon the face of Rebecca, and finally dismissed all impression of any possible past meeting. Nothing could be more improbable.
In its place came a peculiar enchantment. Such a revelation of her beauty burst forth in his soul that it filled him with surprise and delight. But though her comeliness of person was fascinating, this was unimportant and superficial. An adoration, and even reverence, filled him, which were without alloy. His high station had brought before him many proud and beautiful women of his own nation, who were refined and attractive, but this modest Hebrew maiden almost seemed to belong to another planet. His soul was uplifted in a transport of delight. Every step by her side gave him the feeling that he was upon consecrated ground.
These thoughts and experiences flashed through his mind with the force and rapidity of a tropical tempest.
He stepped over a boundary line into a delectable land almost before he was aware of it. The paradise discovered was Love. Such a love he had never before known. Devotion of a depth and power of which he would have been utterly incapable at any previous time sprung up within him. What was rank, position, wealth, or even outward grace! His soul arose from its former state to the full adoration of neighboring soul-beauty. Until now he never had known the nature of real love.