The image toppled down and was broken on the rock
below, but he saw only the fine scarlet thread on the soft flesh.
Again and again he pressed the wounded hand to his lips, his eyes
dimmed with tears of compunction.
"O, Rachel, Rachel!" he exclaimed in a sudden burst of passionate
contrition. "Must even the most loving hand in Egypt be lifted against
thee?"
The great content on the glorified face against his breast was all the
expression of pardon that he asked.
"My love! My Rachel!" he whispered. "Ah, ye generous gods! indulge me
still further. Let this, your richest gift, be mine."
The gods!
Stunned and only realizing that she must undo his clasp, she freed
herself and retreated a little space from him.
And then she remembered.
Slowly and relentlessly it came home to her that this was one of the
abominable idolaters, and she had forsworn such for ever. These very
arms that had held her so shelteringly had been lifted in supplication
to the idols, and the lips, whose kiss she had awaited, would swear to
love her, by an image. The pitiless truth, once admitted, smote her
cruelly. She covered her face with her hands.
Kenkenes, amazed and deeply moved, went to her immediately.
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