Slowly she turned towards him, at the first sound of his words, wondering and thrilled.
"Is it long?
I do not know," he continued.

"It is more than a year, since I first knew what this love meant.

For I have loved little in my life--little, and I am glad, though I have been sorry for it often, for all I ever had, or have, or am to have till I die, is for you, Veronica, all of it--the love of heart and hand and soul, to live for you and die for you, in trust and faith, and love of you.

You wonder?
Beloved--if you knew yourself, you would not wonder that I love you so! There is no man who could save himself, if he lived by your side, as I have lived.
You smile at that?
Well--you are too young to know yourself, but I am not--I know--I know--I thought I knew too well, and must pay dear for knowing how one might love you and live.

But it is not too well, now.
It is life, not death.