"And this protest came involuntarily from my lips:
"'Here now is the happiness for which I have longed, and yet forthwith I must leave it. What a mystery is the spirit of man!'
"'When it is linked to the spirit of God it ceases to understand itself,' she answered. 'Oh, that I had the will for sacrifice which is in you!'
"She lifted the jeweled cross I wore to her lips and kissed it. I wish that I could tell you how beautiful she looked then. She is twenty-six years old and her womanhood is beginning.
"'Now you may go,' she said. 'My heart goes with you, but I fear that we shall not meet again.'
"'Why ?' was my question.
"'I am utterly discouraged.'
"'You can not expect her to wait for you any longer. It is not fair,' said her mother.
"'Margaret, I do not ask you to wait,' I said. 'I am not quite a human being. I seem to have no time for that. I am of the army of God. I shall not expect you to wait.'
"So it befell that the stern, strong hand of a soldier's duty drew me from her presence almost as soon as we had met I kissed her and left her weeping, for there was need of haste. Soon I was galloping out of Passy on my way to the land I love. I try not to think of her, but how can I put out of mind the pathos of that moment? Whenever I close my eyes I see her beautiful figure sitting with bowed head in the twilight."