"I think I do,"--I said--"You mean that I must stand alone?"
"Alone, yet not alone!"--he answered, and his fine face was
transfigured into light with its intense feeling and power--"Alone with
Love!--which is to say alone with God, and therefore surrounded by all
god-like, lasting and revivifying things. You will go back from this
place to the world of conventions,--and you will meet a million
influences to turn you from your chosen way. Opinion, criticism,
ridicule, calumny and downright misunderstanding--these will come out
against you like armed foes, bristling at every point with weapons of
offence. If you tell them of your quest of life and youth and love, and
of your experience here, they will cover you with their mockery and
derision--if you were to breathe a word of the love between you and
Rafel Santoris, a thousand efforts would be instantly made to separate
you, one from the other, and snatch away the happiness you have won.
How will you endure these trials?--what will be your method of action?"