Is it not so?
Nay--seal the deed once again--and again--so! 'Love is stronger than death,' says your preacher." "'And jealousy is as cruel as the grave,' he says, too," added Nehushta, her eyes flashing fire as her lips met his.

"You must never make me jealous, Zoroaster, never, never! I would be so cruel--you cannot dream how cruel I would be!" Zoroaster laughed under his silken beard, a deep, joyous, ringing laugh that startled the moonlit stillness.
"By Nabon and Bel, there is small cause for your jealousy here," he said.
"Swear not by your false gods!" laughed Nehushta.

"You know not how little it would need to rouse me." "I will not give you that little," answered the Persian.

"And as for the false gods, they are well enough for a man to swear by in these days.
But I will swear by any one you command me, or by anything!" "Swear not, or you will say again that the oath has need of sealing," replied Nehushta, drawing her mantle around her, so as to cover half her face.

"Tell me, when are we to begin our journey?
We have talked much and have said little, as it ever is.