Princess Zara

I reached it; I drew it open. I did not turn my head to look at her

again, lest I should become unmanned, and degrade myself by pleading

with her for the impossible. I passed into the hallway and pulled the

door shut behind me, and then, somehow, I got as far as the balustrade,

which, by following it, would lead me to the bottom of the stairs at

the house entrance.

My foot was upon the first step of the stairs when I heard rushing

footsteps behind me, and instantly was caught by clinging arms around

my neck, and I felt her hot and quick breath upon my cheek.

She did not speak; she only clung to me. I did not speak; but I turned

about with restored strength, and with my spirit renewed. I seized her

in my arms. I crushed her against me, violently. I raised her from her

feet, holding her as if she had been a child, and then, bearing her

with me, I strode backward through the doorway, and into the room I had

just left. I carried her to the divan, and I seated her upon the edge

of it, still retaining my grasp upon her; and I said: "Zara, you are mine. Nothing short of death shall take you from me. In

the last few moments I have experienced all the horrors of a separation

from you. A little while ago you loved me. Only a few moments ago, we

were all there was in creation. For a moment which has seemed an

eternity, I believed that I had lost you, but when you followed me to

the landing of the stairway, I knew that I had not lost you, even for

that instant. You love me, Zara, and you shall be mine. Before God, you

shall be!"

For a moment I thought she intended to struggle again, to escape me.

Indeed, I was certain that she was on the point of doing so, and I

tightened my grasp upon her while I dropped upon one knee, and added: "Zara, let me hear you say once again that you love me."

Her answer was a burst of tears, and for a time she could find no other

expression for her emotions; and while these lasted, she clung to me

the more tightly, so that when, at last, the storm did come to an end,

her lips were closely against my ear, and I heard the whispered words: "I do love you."

But instantly she started away from me, and she cried out.

"Wait! wait, Dubravnik! I remember, now, that I had begun to tell you a

story. I was telling you what made me a nihilist."

"Yes."

"I will finish the story, if you will let me."