"Yet it may be that I cannot agree with the opinion of the man whose strength and wisdom are so far superior to mine, yet you have just shown that you cannot tolerate the opposition of a woman, not even mine." "Miriam," he interrupted reproachfully, but she continued still more eagerly: "I have felt it, and because it would be the greatest grief of my life to lose your heart, you must learn to understand me, ere you call upon me to express my opinion." "First hear my message." "No, no!" she answered quickly.

"The reply would die upon my lips.

Let me first tell you of the woman who has a loving heart, and yet knows something else that stands higher than love.

Do you smile?
You have a right to do so, you have so long been a stranger to the secret I mean to confide...." "Speak then!" he interrupted, in a tone which betrayed how difficult it was for him to control his impatience.
"I thank you," she answered warmly.

Then leaning against the trunk of the ancient tree, while he sank down on the bench, gazing alternately at the ground and into her face, she began: "Childhood already lies behind me, and youth will soon follow.