"You are angry with me?" he asked gently.
"No, Mr. Soffy, I don't think I am. But I pity you; oh! how I pity you!" she said sadly.
"You don't love me, then?" he asked in a tone of agitation and fear.
"No, Mr. Soffy, I don't even respect you."
"Why?" he asked, his pride clearly hurt.
"I hardly think you could understand," returned Venna sadly. "There is a great barrier between us, a barrier of spiritual understanding. I realize your sin. You do not."
"Wherein have I sinned?" he asked. "Is it a sin to devote one's life to his ideal, and love her above all else?"
"Yes," returned Venna, "when we love her more than our duty."
"And what is duty?" he asked, cynically.
"Ask your God, Mr. Soffy. He will answer you so that you may understand. Good-bye," she added, holding out her hand.