第54章 THE EUPHORBIA(16)

She acted Esther, Deborah, Judith, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and Mary, the mother of Jesus.I know, venerable father, that thy austere mind is alarmed at the idea of these performances.But thou thyself wouldest have been touched if thou hadst seen her in these pious scenes, shedding real tears, and raising to heaven arms graceful as palm leaves.I have long governed a community of women, and I make it a rule never to oppose their nature.All seeds give not the same flowers.Not all souls are sanctified in the same way.It must also not be forgotten that Thais gave herself to God whilst she was still beautiful, and such a sacrifice is, if not unexampled, at least very rare.This beauty--her natural vesture--has not left her during the three months' fever of which she is dying.As, during her illness, she has incessantly asked to see the sky, I have her carried every morning into the courtyard, near the well, under the old fig tree, in the shade of which the abbesses of this convent are accustomed to hold their meetings.Thou wilt find her there, venerable father; but hasten, for God calls her, and this night a shroud will cover that face which God made both to shame and to edify this world."Paphnutius followed her into a courtyard flooded with the morning light.On the edge of the brick roofs, the pigeons formed a string of pearls.On a bed, in the shade of the fig tree, Thais lay quite white, her arms crossed.By her side stood veiled women, reciting the prayers for the dying.

"Have mercy, upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness:

according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."/He called her--

"Thais!"

She raised her eyelids, and turned the whites of her eyes in the direction of the voice.

Albina made a sign to the veiled women to retire a few paces.

"Thais!" repeated the monk.

She raised her head; a light breath came from her pale lips.

"Is it thou, my father?...Dost thou remember the water of the spring, and the dates that we picked?...That day, my father, love was born in my heart--the love of life eternal."She was silent, and her head fell back.

Death was upon her, and the sweat of the last agony bedewed her forehead.A pigeon broke the still silence with its plaintive cooing.

Then the sobs of the monk mingled with the psalms of the virgins.

"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."/Suddenly Thais sat up in the bed.Her violet eyes opened wide, and with a rapt gaze, her arms stretched towards the distant hills, she said in a clear, fresh voice--"Behold them--the roses of the eternal dawn!"Her eyes shone; a slight flush suffused her face.She had revived, more sweet and more beautiful than ever.Paphnutius knelt down, and threw his long black arms around her.

"Do not die!" he cried, in a strange voice, which he himself did not recognise."I love thee! Do not die! Listen, my Thais.I have deceived thee? I was but a wretched fool.God, heaven--all that is nothing.

There is nothing true but this worldly life, and the love of human beings.I love thee! Do not die! That would be impossible--thou art too precious! Come, come with me! Let us fly? I will carry thee far away in my arms.Come, let us love! Hear me, O my beloved, and say, 'Iwill live; I wish to live.' Thais, Thais, arise!"She did not hear him.Her eyes gazed into infinity.

She murmured--

"Heaven opens.I see the angels, the prophets, and the saints....

The good Theodore is amongst them, his hands filled with flowers; he smiles on me and calls me....Two angels come to me.They draw near....How beautiful they are! I see God!"She uttered a joyful sigh, and her head fell back motionless on the pillow.Thais was dead.

Paphnutius held her in a last despairing embrace; his eyes devoured her with desire, rage, and love.

Albina cried to him--

"Avaunt, accursed wretch!"

And she gently placed her fingers on the eyelids of the dead girl.

Paphnutius staggered back, his eyes burning with flames and feeling the earth open beneath his feet.

The virgins chanted the song of Zacharias:

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel."/

Suddenly their voices stayed in their throat.They had seen the monk's face, and they fled in affright, crying--"A vampire! A vampire!"

He had become so repulsive, that passing his hand over his face, he felt his own hideousness.

End