Yet they worked madly, their breath coming in great gasps, knowing that the work was in vain, and that even if they could open the door, by now it would be to find Miriam gone, or at the best to be taken themselves.

Suddenly Marcus ceased from his labour.
"Lost!" he moaned, "and for my sake.

O ye gods! for my sake." Then down he fell, his harness clattering on the rocky step, and lay there, muttering and laughing foolishly.
Nehushta ceased also, gasping: "The Lord help you, Miriam, for I cannot.
Oh! after all these years to lose you thus, and because of that man!" and she glared through the darkness towards the fallen Marcus, thinking in her heart that she would kill him.
"Nay," she said to herself, "she loved him, and did she know it might pain her.

Better kill myself; yes, and if I were sure that she is dead this, sin or no sin, I would do." As she sat thus, helpless, hopeless, she saw a light coming up the stair towards them.

It was borne by Ithiel.