"So far!—and yet not far enough!" it said—"To what end wilt thou adventure for the sake of Love?"
"To no End whatsoever,"—I answered with sudden boldness—"But to everlasting Continuance!"
Again I thought I saw a faint glowing light within its sombre draperies.
"What wouldst thou do for Love?" its voice again enquired—"Wouldst thou bear all things and believe all things? Canst thou listen to falsehood bearing witness against truth, and yet love on? Wilt thou endure all suffering, all misunderstanding, all coldness and cruelty, and yet keep thy soul bright as a burning lamp with the flame of faith and endeavour? Wouldst thou scale the heavens and plunge to the uttermost hell for the sake of him thou lovest, knowing that thy love must make him one with thee at the God-appointed hour?"
I looked up at the Figure, vainly striving to see its face.
"All these things I would do!" I answered—"All that is in the power of my soul to endure mortally or immortally, I will bear for Love's sake!"
Again the light flashed through its black garments. When it next spoke, its voice rang out harshly in ominous warning.
"Thy lover is dead!" it proclaimed—"He has passed from this sphere to another, and ye shall not meet again for many cycles of time! DOST THOU BELIEVE IT?"
A cold agony gripped my breast, but I would not yield to it, and answered resolutely—
"No! I do not believe it! He could not die without my knowing and feeling the parting of his soul from mine!"