Jean—Here, dear! (He clasps her arm and draws her hand away from the wall.)
Angelica—My eyes have prickles in them; I can scarcely see. When I look at that great red eye before us yonder, a thousand points jut out and fly to me and hit me in my eyes.
Jean—But that great red eye must be the opening, dear. That is where we reach The World Above.
Angelica—Then I do not want to reach The World Above, for nothing but pain comes to me from that great red eye.
Jean—But I feel certain that we must go through that opening and when we get there I am sure that we shall scarcely know that we are coming into light. My eyes are quite used to it now, at least so that they do not prickle any more, and I can make out some beautiful things.
Angelica—What? Tell me what, for I shall never see it myself.
Jean—Yes, you will. Believe me, it is only a little further, only a little more weariness and pain and we shall be there. When I saw what you were willing to go through to reach this gateway, what suffering to endure, what dangers to risk, I began to believe with you, and now we have our reward, for here we are with the gate right at hand.
Angelica—But I am too tired!
Jean—Then let us rest here a little before we take the last steps, and let us get our eyes used to the opaline lights. And see, we have much more light now; I can see you better, and you could see me better if you would but take your hand down from your eyes and look at me. (She slowly looks around and bends her eyes upon him.)
Angelica—I cannot see you at all. Oh, where are you? Have you left me alone?