We were standing a little apart, for though I wanted to throw my arms
about his neck at that last instant I would not allow myself to do so,
because I knew that that would make it the harder for him to go.
I could see, too, that he was trying not to make it harder for me, so we
stood in silence for a moment while my bosom heaved and his breath came
quick.
Then he took my right hand in both of his hands and said: "There is a
bond between us now which can never be broken."
"Never," I answered.
"Whatever happens to either of us we belong to each other for ever."
"For ever and ever," I replied.
I felt his hands tighten at that, and after another moment of silence,
he said:
"I may be a long time away, Mary."
"I can wait."
"Down there a man has to meet many dangers."
"You will come back. Providence will take care of you."
"I think it will. I feel I shall. But if I don't. . . ."
I knew what he was trying to say. A shadow seemed to pass between us. My
throat grew thick, and for a moment I could not speak. But then I heard
myself say:
"Love is stronger than death; many waters cannot quench it."
His hands quivered, his whole body trembled, and I thought he was going
to clasp me to his breast as before, but he only drew down my forehead
with his hot hand and kissed it.
That was all, but a blinding mist seemed to pass before my eyes, and
when it cleared the door of the room was open and my Martin was gone.