“Hast thou thought carefully of this? Thou art the Roman Vice Legate of Tarsus, and I but an humble maid of the Hebrews!”
“Rebecca, I have pondered it day and night! Never in my earlier days did I know there could be such love! But I feel myself to be another man—a new man—or I would be unspeakably unworthy of thee. I am yet unworthy, but I offer thee the homage of a heart, purified I trust, by the higher life, and softened by the effulgence of thine own goodness.”
There was a long silence, made more intense by the rapid beating of two hearts.
A smile upon her lips, and the dropping of a tear which would not stay back, gave him hope.
Unspeakable repose filled their souls.