He put his tremulous hand upon her head, a withered leaf upon a flower in bloom. "Yes, my child, love which is God's spirit come down to earth."
He bade them good night, and for a long time they sat in silence.
"Sometimes," said the mother, "I feel a sudden strength, and I look up in surprise and see that it has come from you."
"I believe that I am developing," the daughter replied. "But I shall be strong if he asks me to go with him."
"What do you mean, my dear?"
"I mean that if he were to ask me, I would be strong enough to go."
"And leave me?"
"Leave the world—everything!"
"Why, my child, how can you talk so? Really, you alarm me. You scarcely know the man; you have met him but a few times, and then your talks with him were brief."
"I don't attempt to explain, mother. I simply know."