"Yes, yes," she brought out at intervals.
"Be brave, my girl, be brave!"
"Yes, yes."
The revolving searchlight flashed through the room at that moment, and
she dropped her face again.
"Dearest," she said faintly, "if I should not be here when you come
back...."
He started and seized her arm.
"Roma, you cannot intend to submit to the will of that man?"
She shook her head as it rested on his shoulder.
"The man is a monster. He may put pressure upon you."
"It is not that."
"He may even make you suffer for my sake."
"Nor that either."
"By-and-by he may require everybody to take an oath of allegiance to the
King."
"I have taken mine already--to my king."
"Roma, if you wish me to stay I will do so in spite of everything."
"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."
"Dearest, promise me that whatever happens you will think the best of
me."
"Roma!"
"Promise me that whoever says anything to the contrary you will always
believe I loved you."
"Why should we talk of what can never happen?"
"If we are parting for ever ... if we are saying a long farewell to all
earthly affections, promise me...."