It may be, my very dear, that some day you may be glad and even proud of this hour, as I am." She kissed me as I took it.
"For life or death, I care not which, so long as I am with you!" I said, as I moved off.

Descending the Jacob's ladder, I made my way down the rock-hewn passage.
The last thing I saw was the beautiful face of my Lady of the Shroud as she leaned over the edge of the opening.

Her eyes were like glowing stars as her looks followed me.

That look shall never fade from my memory.
After a few agitating moments of thought I half mechanically took my way down to the garden.

Opening the grille, I entered my lonely room, which looked all the more lonely for the memory of the rapturous moments under the Flagstaff.