"Nay, dear, say Jesus of Nazareth."
"Well, of Jesus—but for one verse he could have accepted your argument of many Sons of God in the Spirit."
"What is the verse?"
"It is where a disciple speaks of Jesus as the only begotten. Son."
The Wanderer smiled.
"The young man is too literal. He forgets that the Only Begotten Son may have had many Incarnations."
"The Princess Irene was also present," Lael went on. "Sergius said she too could accept your argument did you alter it"—
"Alter it!"—A bitter look wrung the Prince's countenance—"Sergius, a monk not yet come to orders, and Irene, a Princess without a husband. Oh, a small return for my surrender! ... I am tired—very tired," he said impatiently—"and I have so much, so much to think of. Come, good night."
"Can I do nothing for you?"
"Yes, tell Syama to bring me some water."