“You forget that you have wisdom and goodness that I can never fathom.”
“Here in Zanah those who love soon weary of each other. Surely, it is not so in the world, where earthly love is not counted a sin. Is it?” she questioned.
“Our love is for all our life,” he said, softly. “I shall be faithful to it always.”
“And thou wilt be patient with me? Thou wilt teach me all that I should learn, if I would be thy worthy companion?”
“I would not have you changed in any way, Walda.”
“Ah! but love bringeth wisdom, and I have thought much about our marriage. I shall be unlike all the people thou knowest. When Gerson Brandt said he would be out of place in the great world, his words smote me.”
“You shall learn all that you need to know about the ways of the world,” Everett promised, easily. “Is there any other subject that is causing you apprehension?”
“Nay; none that I may voice to thee. When a woman is about to give herself to the man she loveth there is a tumult in her heart. It is of mingled faith and fear. Love carrieth both with it, for, while it exalts the soul, it bringeth the wisdom that hath a far sight of the meanings and mysteries of life.”
Walda put her hands upon his shoulders, and, looking into his eyes, saw in them something that gave her courage.
“Let us be grateful in this hour of our deliverance,” she said, rising. “Have the white gown—my wedding-gown—brought to me.”