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90 ARIADNE.Once he moaned aloud,like a strong beast intorture,as heheard: that wasall.He heard me without breaking his silence tothe end. Then he leaned against the wallof the stairs and covered his face with his hands,andIsaw the large tears fall throughhis claspedfingers, and drop oneby one.No doubt the manwho sees what he cherishesdead by disease in her youth suffers much lessthan he did then. For to Maryx she wasnot onlylost as utterly as by death, but she had perishesinher soul as in her body;she was destroyedmore absolutely thanif he had beheld the wormsof the grave devour her. The lover whoyieldswhat he loves toDeath, tries to beheve he doesbut surrender her to God; but he" Oh,my love, my love! " he said once: thatwas all.Very soon he bac! mastered his weakness andstood erect, and the veins werelike knotted endsonhis bold broad forehead." We are free — now," he said:andIwas silent.ForIknew whathe meant.Butwhat woulclvengeance serveher? Itseemed