He thought of his love--sacred now above all things.

His fear of it was like as the fear of the gods had been to his fathers.

For a moment honor, wisdom, and love trembled in the balance.

Suddenly he stood erect and put his hand upon the shoulder of Salome and gently pushed her aside.
He turned away, his left arm covering his eyes and his right moving in a gesture of protest.

He staggered as one drunk with wine.