Adr. Dear Nikola! God's rest is his.
Anna. Yes. Heaven is a good place for our children. 'Tis better with me than Uliana. Her Petrov may live, but he will never walk. Can you come to-night and sit a bit by the lad? I'm almost thinkin' he would know it, sir.
Adr. I will come, Anna.
Anna. Just a bit. I wouldn't keep you from the living. God bless you, sir! [Goes. Adrian remains in door until her footsteps die away, then returns to Sophie]
Adr. You know what my work means. The daily offering up of the body to prison and death. That does not matter now, but if you were in danger, as my wife would always be, do you doubt that I would try to save you at the risk of all for which I have lived? And I have lived for it because it was the one righteous way for me.
Soph. I should never come between you and your work.
Adr. I gave up ambition—I would rather move with the multitude one step nearer the light than with my two hands catch at the sun. I gave up art—what right had I to retreat into the beautiful while my brothers lay blind without? Burnish my spirit to reflect gleams beyond the stars, while children were without bread? But love? O, I thought God would spare me this!
Soph. Adrian—you don't understand—I should not be in your way—your work would be mine——
Adr. O, you don't understand—you can't, for you are a woman, whose natural breath is the incense of sacrifice. But in me there is no angel. If you were mine, I would risk everything to hold you—one bit of rosy flesh that I might kiss!
Soph. [Softly] I know you better than that.