“I will be your good comrade,” she said. “For a little while, if you like. For ever, if you like.”
“I want comradeship,” he told her. “I’m lonely, and I hate loneliness. I think we could do good work together, for children, for peace, for ourselves. I’ll be a faithful servant to you, Princess!”
“Not mine,” she said, smiling. “I’m no Princess, but a serving wench. I’m Communist enough to believe in equality between a man and his woman. We will serve God together!”
“I don’t know much about God,” said Bertram. “I’m a hopeless infidel. But I’m spiritual enough to adore the goodness in you. Your courage! Your self-forgetfulness.”
“Where love is, there God is also,” said Nadia. “That’s Tolstoy, but it’s true, I think. We will find God together, in love for each other and the world.”
“I’ve made a hopeless failure of love once,” said Bertram. “I’d be glad to get a second chance.”
“You shall have the chance, dear sir,” said Nadia. “You are one of the great lovers of the world. How proud I am to be your handmaid! I will help you to do your work for poor humanity. Every word you write shall be a light to my love for you. You will make the world know the truth, and I shall have a share in it by keeping you well, giving you comfort in spirit and body, making for you that little private paradise of which once you spoke to me.”
“You promise me good things,” said Bertram. “Better than most men get, and more than I deserve.”
“I promise myself better things,” she answered. “I am selfish in thinking of so many sweet gifts that will come to me with you. Happiness in Russia! I think I shall be the only happy woman.”
“You make me a little afraid,” said Bertram. “You will find me out as a poor fellow.”