"After daring so much, it is no time for fear! If we let him part from you without a word, your opportunity of doing him inestimable good is lost forever." "True; it will be lost forever!" repeated Miriam sadly.

"But, dear friend, will it be my fault?
I willingly fling my woman's pride at his feet.

But--do you not see ?--his heart must be left freely to its own decision whether to recognize me, because on his voluntary choice depends the whole question whether my devotion will do him good or harm.

Except he feel an infinite need of me, I am a burden and fatal obstruction to him!" "Take your own course, then, Miriam," said Kenyon; "and, doubtless, the crisis being what it is, your spirit is better instructed for its emergencies than mine." While the foregoing words passed between them they had withdrawn a little from the immediate vicinity of the statue, so as to be out of Donatello's hearing.

Still, however, they were beneath the pontiff's outstretched hand; and Miriam, with her beauty and her sorrow, looked up into his benignant face, as if she had come thither for his pardon and paternal affection, and despaired of so vast a boon.
Meanwhile, she had not stood thus long in the public square of Perugia, without attracting the observation of many eyes.