Page:Richard Marsh--The goddess a demon.djvu/149

Rh "John!" Returning to her former self, she said it with the simplicity of a little child. She nestled close up to me, as if for comfort. My pulses throbbed. "Why is it that I feel safe when I am near you, and that the nearer I am to you the safer I feel?"

"God grant that you may always feel safe when you are near to me."

My voice was husky.

"I believe that I always shall feel safe when you are near; I believe I always shall."

She looked up at me with eyes in which there was something which seemed to burn into my soul. It was with difficulty I kept myself from putting my arm about her. When I spoke, it was awkwardly enough, and with a lumbering choice of ungainly words.

"The tangle is greater than I thought. It seems to be drawing us together. God moves in a mysterious way, and it maybe His purpose that, under this blood-red shadow, our lives shall draw closer to each other. For my part, I am content." I waited for her to speak; she was still; but she rested one hand upon my arm, and I trembled. "Don't let yourself be troubled by fantastic fears. Rest assured that your heart is stainless as are your hands. I know. Look up, the light is coming! Your innocence will be made plain to all the world, and to yourself.