"I wish you to go, dearest."
"Then what is it you fear?"
"Nothing—only...."
"But you are sad. Why is it?"
"A foreboding. I feel as if we were parting for ever."
He passed his hands through her hair. "It may be so. Only God can tell."
"It was too sweet dreaming. I was too happy for a little while."
"If it must be, it must be. But let us be brave, dear! We, who take up a life like this, must learn renunciation.... Crying, Roma?"
"No! Oh, no! But renunciation! That's it—renunciation." She could feel the beating of her heart against his breast. "Love comes to every one, but to some it comes too late, and then it comes in vain." She was striving to keep down her sobs. "They have only to conquer it and renounce it, and to pray God to unite them to their loved ones in another life." She was choking, but she struggled on. "Sometimes I think it must be my lot to be like that. Other women may dream of love and home and children...."
"Don't unman me, Roma."