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So strongly, so confidently did she speak this word, that the young man went on, manifestly influenced by it, hesitating no more in his speech. "May befall me," he repeated. "'Whosoever believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live," she answered, with lofty voice, repeating the divine word. "What is our life, that we should hold it at the expense of his Truth? Mazurier was wrong.
And she recognized also the voice of Mazurier, who, till the last moment of separation, seemed endeavoring to dissuade his friend from leaving him that night. He heard footsteps following him, as he passed along the pavement, observed that they gained on him. And could it be any other than Jacqueline who touched his arm, and whispered, "Victor"? His fast-beating heart told him it was she.
"This is the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." And he also went forth, whither Mazurier had gone. Then beside the bed of the poor wool-comber women like angels ministered, binding up his wounds, and soothing him with voices soft as ever spoke to man. And from the peasant whose toil was in harvest-fields and vineyards came offers of assistance which the poor can best give the poor.
Strong woman that she was, he wanted her strength joined to his. He was secretly disquieted, secretly afraid to trust himself, since this defection of Martial Mazurier. What did hinder them? They might be married on Sunday, if she would: they might go down together to the estate, which he must immediately visit.
It was hard to believe, and yet it has cost me a great deal to persuade myself against belief, Victor." "It will cost you still more, Jacqueline. Martial Mazurier has recanted." "He has been in prison, then?" "He has retracted, and is free again, has denied himself. No more glorious words from him, Jacqueline, such as we have heard! He has sold himself to the Devil, you see." "Mazurier?"
Mazurier expressed it in another way. In the street, Elsie Méril heard of Victor's arrest, and she brought the news to Jacqueline. They had returned to Meaux, to their old lodging, and a day had passed, during which, moment by moment, his arrival was anticipated.
"Because, when you were strong and happy, that was your desire, Victor; and now that you are sick and sorrowing, I will not give you to another: no! not to Mazurier, nor to any one that breathes, except myself, to whom you belong." "I must stay here in Meaux, then?" "That depends upon yourself, Victor." "We were to have been married.
How know I that she marvelled at her lover's choice, though all the world might marvel? Then remembering Mazurier, and thinking of her strength of faith, and her high-heartedness, he was eager that Jacqueline should appoint their marriage-day. And more than he, perhaps, supposed was betrayed by this haste. He made his words profoundly good.
Tidings reached Martial Mazurier next day of what had befallen Victor Le Roy, and he went instantly to visit him in prison. It was an interview which the tender-hearted officials would have invited, had he not forestalled them by inviting himself to the duty.
"Mazurier has thought raiment better than life. He has believed a man's life to consist in the abundance of the things he possesseth," said the youth, bitterly. He continued, looking steadfastly at Jacqueline, "Probably I must give up the Truth also.
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