What had she been doing in betrothing herself to this man! Was she not making herself a parricide after the event?
At this crisis in her feelings her lover called.

He beheld her trembling, and, in reply to his question, she told him of her scruples with impulsive candour.
'She had not intended to do this, but his attitude of tender command coerced her into frankness.

Thereupon he exhibited an agitation never before apparent in him.

He said, "But all that is past.

You are the symbol of Charity, and we are pledged to let bygones be." 'His words soothed her for the moment, but she was sadly silent, and he went away.
'That night she saw (as she firmly believed to the end of her life) a divinely sent vision.