She gazed at him with all the love she bore him. Then, drawing him close, she whispered a word in his ear.
He closed his eyes in mortal anguish.
"All creation knows it,—all things, animate and inanimate: but not I,—not I!"
"Take me!" Ilaria said calmly, her face very white. "Yes—I will drink with you! But first—a libation to Venus!"
She gathered a little water in her hands and sprinkled it at the feet of the statue.
He stared at her for a moment, speechless, full of wonder at her strange bearing. She was very pale, but in her eyes there gleamed a subtle fire, which kindled the spark in his soul.
"We have no cup," he said trembling.
But she, stooping swiftly, gathered water once more in the hollow of her palms and raised them to his face.
"Drink!" she whispered eagerly. "Drink, while yet we dare!"