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Page 92
"It is true,--God only can know our love," said Balder, and, having
said it, he felt his mind clear and strengthen. For it is the
acknowledgment of God that lends the deepest seeing to the eye, and
tunes the universe to man; and Balder, at this moment of mingled love,
humility, and fear, made and confessed that supreme discovery.--"Only
He knows what our love is, but the marriage-rite informs the world
that He knows it."
"But why must the world know?" persisted Gnulemah, still seeming to
shrink at the idea.
"Because it is wholesome for all men to know that we have made God
party to our union. That our love may be pure and immortal, we must
look through each other to Him; the acknowledgment will keep others as
well as ourselves from misusing love's happiness."
"Then, after we have knelt together before Him, we shall be no longer
two, but one!" Gnulemah spoke, after some pause, in a full tone of
joy; yet her voice shrank at the last, from the feeling that she had
penetrated all at once to a holy place. A delicious fear seized her,
and she clung to her lover so that he could perceive the tremor that
agitated her.
No more was said. Their confidence was in each other; with Balder at
her side, Gnulemah was fearful of the world no longer. But her visions
were all spiritual; even the kisses on her lips were to her a sacred
miracle! Love makes children of men and women,--shows them the wisdom
of unreason and the value of soap-bubbles. These lovers must meet the
world, but the light and freshness of the Golden Age should accompany
them. The man held the maiden's hand, and so faced the future with a
smile.
Few as were the hours since they first had seen each other, it seemed
as though they could hardly know each other better; then why put off
the consummation a single hour? Manetho had been right, and Balder
marvelled at having required the spur. He knew of no material
hindrances; unlimited resources would be his, and these would render
easier Gnulemah's introduction to society. Perhaps (for doubtless
Manetho would desire it) they might begin housekeeping in this very
house, and thus, by gradual approaches, make their way to life's
realities,--vulgarly so called!
At this moment, Balder's respect for wealth was many fold greater than
ever it had been before. It should be the sword and shield wherewith
he would protect the woman of his heart. Gnulemah was not of the kind
who need the discipline of poverty; her beauty and goodness would be
best nurtured beneath an affluent sun. Wants and inconveniences would
rather pain and mystify than educate her. How good was that God who
had vouchsafed not only the blessing, but the means of enjoying it!
God gave Balder Helwyse opportunity to prove the soundness of his
faith. Labor and poverty awaited him; what else and worse let time
show. In anguish, fear, and humiliation had his love been born, but
the birth-pangs had been as brief as they were intense. A brave soul's
metal is more severely tried by crawling years of monotonous effort,
discord of must with wish, and secret self-suppression and misgiving.
Happily life is so ordered that no blow can crush unless dealt from
within, nor is any sunshine worth having that shines only from
without.
Balder's eyes were softer than their wont, and there was a tender and
sweet expression about his mouth. Never had life been so inestimable a
blessing,--never had nature looked so divinely alive. He could imagine
nothing gloomy or forbidding; in darkness's self he would have found
germs of light. His love was a panoply against ill of mind or body. He
thought he perceived, once for all, the insanity of selfishness and
sin.
Suddenly he was conscious through Gnulemah of the same shiver that had
visited her in the conservatory that morning. Looking round, he was
startled to see, beyond the near benison of her sumptuous face, the
tall form of the Egyptian priest. He was not a dozen yards away,
advancing slowly towards them. Balder sprang up.
"Our chain,--you have broken it!" exclaimed Gnulemah. It was only a
flower chain, but flowers are the bloom and luxury of life.
Manetho came up with a smile.
"Come, my children!" said he. "This chain would soon have faded and
fallen apart of itself, but the chain I will forge you is stronger
than time and weightier than dandelions. Come!"
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