Mutely he obeyed, and, inscribed in small, clear characters, saw this:
Beloved,
though death
must needs come
to us soon or late,
yet do I know we can
never die since Love
is immortal. So by
thy love shall I live
on beyond death
with thee for
ever. Thy
John Dering.
For a while he sat staring at this message from the “living” dead; at last, and suddenly, he turned and looked at her.
“John,” she whispered, “take me, beloved, and so let us make each other immortal.”
Then Sir John reached out his arms and, drawing her to him, gazed deep into her eyes.
“Herminia,” said he, “O Rose o’ love ... my Rose in very truth, at last!”
“For thy wearing, John,” she sighed, “or needs must I fade soon and wither utterly away.”