He rose to his feet, and, taking her tear-drenched face softly between his hands, kissed her upon the brow.
‘God bless and protect you!’ he cried. ‘Pray for me, my darling! I shall need all your prayers! Pray for me and forgive me!’
A minute later, and he was left alone. He would have followed her out into the night, as far as her own door, but she begged him not to do so. He stood at the gate, watching her as she flitted away. Then, with a cry of anguish, he looked towards his empty church standing shadowy in the cold moonlight, and re-entered his desolate home.