"If thy heart and hands are empty, the duties of thy realm shall fill them.
"Thou shalt keep thy vow!
"Thou shalt make none other; none other may be so holy for thee.
"Thou hast tasted joy and found it bitter; in duty shalt thou find sweetness and strength.
"And the Lord thy God, and the Madonna and the Holy Christus shall bless thee. Amen.
"I have the revelation!"
The crisp sentences crashed upon each other like a rushing torrent, hot with inspiration, challenging acceptance. She had risen to her feet and stood quivering before him, her eyes held to his by a strange fascination—the wild glow within his giving her sight of her dormant self and will.
He raised his crucifix above her and she slowly fell on her knees; and so he left her.