She lowered her eyes without answering. His frown became deeper.
"Do not be afraid; speak out. Don't you believe that I am specially guilty, in some manner, before God?"
"Specially?... Yes, I think so. Do not be angry...."
"I was sure of it.... Now tell me what it is? I must repent me of my crimes."
Helena resumed, in a yet lower voice, and more severely--
"Do not laugh! I have to answer for your soul before the Eternal----"
"Religious marriage? But up till now we are strangers to one another, Helena!"
"I fear for your soul, Julian," she repeated, fixing on him her innocent eyes.
Placing his hand on her shoulder, he gazed mockingly at the pale face, so cold in its chastity. The small and lovely mouth, with its rosy lips half parted with an expression of fear and inquiry, was in strange contrast to the rest of the face. Julian leaned towards her, and before she had time to regain her presence of mind, kissed her on the lips.
She started and rushed to a far corner of the room, hiding her face in her hands. Then gazing at Julian, her eyes wild with fear, she hastily crossed herself, murmuring--
"Away, away, O evil one! I know thee; thou art not Julian, but the Devil. In the name of the most Holy Cross, I conjure thee ... disappear!"
Anger seized Julian; he turned to the door and bolted it; then approaching Helena with a smile he said--
"Be yourself, Helena; I am a man--I am your husband--and not the Devil! The Church has blessed our union." He gazed upon her with strangely warring emotions. She slowly drew her hands from her eyes.
"Forgive me ... it seemed to me ... you frightened me so, Julian.... I know that you desire nothing evil ... but I have had visions.... Just now I believed.... He haunts this place at night. Twice I have seen him.... He said to me ill things about you. Since then I have been afraid. He told me you bore on your face the mark of Cain.... Why do you look at me so, Julian?"
She was trembling and leaning against the wall; he approached and put his arm round her waist.
"What are you doing? Let me go, let me go!"
She tried to cry out, to call the servant.
"Why are you calling? Am I not your husband?"
"Brother, this must not be.... I am the bride of Christ!... I believed that you...."