Rising, I lifted her as though she were a child, and stood her on her feet.

I said: "Hearken, Empress, before destruction falls.

I do understand now, though a moment ago I did not, who never thought it possible that the queen of the world could look with favour upon one so humble." "Love takes no account of rank," she murmured, "and that kiss of yours upon my lips is more to me than the empire of the world." "Yet hearken," I answered.

"There is another wall between us which may not be climbed." "Man, what is this wall?
Is it named woman?
Are you sworn to the memory of that Iduna, who is more fair than I?
Or is it, perchance, her of the necklace ?" "Neither.

Iduna is dead to me; she of the necklace is but a dream.
The wall is that of your own faith.