The past was forgotten, the future loomed at hand, and between the one and the other was spanned a bridge of passion made perfect and sanctified by its approaching earthly end.
Bessie was forgotten, all things were forgotten, for they were alone with Love and Death.
Let those who would blame them pause awhile.

Why not?
They had kept the faith.

They had denied themselves and run straightly down the path of duty.

But the compacts of life end with life.

No man may bargain for the beyond; even the marriage service shrinks from it.