Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/383

Rh his mind was irrevocably fixed, all his possessions should be given to the poor; he would but keep a cottage for his sisters, if so be they would not join him; all else should go, all that he had so greatly treasured. Then what would remain for him to offer to the Magdalene? A great personal love and a share in his Christ-work. That would be all. No thought of self must ever enter either heart; her only temporal reward would be her re-instatement in the eyes of the world.

Her words appealed to every sentiment of chivalry and romance in him, when, at nightfall, she bade farewell to them. "Ye have been very good to me, Martha and Mary," she began, while her tears fell fast. "Ye have suffered me to be with you much, and have loved me for the dear Lord's sake; but I am but a poor sinner and I must come no more. Henceforth I will go about my Saviour's business. I will seek other sinning women and tell them of the Christ, and I will minister to the mother of the Master."

Then, with loving tenderness Lazarus took her hand. "Magdalene," he said, "thou wast beloved of the Lord and favoured by Him above all other women; I too will work with thee, if thou wilt let me. I will sell all I have, and will follow Him with thee. Together we will journey hither and thither, without scrip or purse, and, like our dear Master, we will have nowhere to lay our heads. Everywhere we will testify of Him, but together in the Lord. Wilt have me, Mary, for thy husband?" And in her eyes he saw her answer and the radiant gratitude of her re-awakened soul, that shone like beacons in her lovely eyes.