"Rachel," he began, and paused, "Rachel had'st a lover once. He is idling in Rome; another not so comely but——"
The girl looked surprised and interrupted him with an exclamation.
Abraham stopped uneasily and changed his cue; "Rachel would'st confer a boon? Come, thou art a good soul, a charitable girl," and he approached her closely.
“ Bring lights,” called Rachel, turning to the door and speaking toward the servant’s room. “ Stay,” she said, facing Abraham, “ Stay, I am no child. There was a day, not so long ago, when in sheer ignorance I might have let you say that which I read in your flaming eyes.” He approached still nearer. “ Now,” drawing herself up proudly, “Now, I say but this: ‘Go, and ne’er darken this door again.’ ”
"What.?"
“ Need I repeat my painful words?”
"Then you are pained to bid me go? Have I deserved this sudden loss of friendship?"
"Deserved? Yes. Friendship? Has thou played the friend's part?"
“Yes; I would be friend and more than friend to thee, Rachel.”
"Stay; this may not, cannot continue. I am betrothed. What mean these protestations? I need them not. I—I will not listen to them because—"
“Because thou hast been deceived by the jeweler’s son.”
“ Deceived by you, thou—thou—”
“I deceived thee?”
"Get thee gone. I see the light coming and would not look on thy evil face."
“Evil? Madden me not, girl!” His face was white with passion.
"Go, then! The humblest is thy better since thou hast been false to true friendship." The light came nearer and Abraham uneasily shifted his position.
“Someone has lied to thee and me. I am a sluggard in action; believe not that I am a sluggard in love.”
"Enough: I have here a letter from Solomon." As the words escaped her the servant carrying heavy wax candles entered the room and in the light Rachel saw his face become pallid.
"So he has written thee at last?" the voice quivered.
“Compel me not to name thy wickedness. I know of thy sin.” Then seeing the effect of her words she added simply, “Go; repent thy misdeeds to me and I will try and forget them. Go!” The servant had passed out of the room.
“So I have failed. Yes, I confess for love of thee, for love of thee I wronged my father's name, but I repent not. Girl, thou must be mine. Break off this folly.”
"Go away!"
He crossed the room, and seized her arm. "Publish my shame if thou wilt; tell all the world how thou encouraged me whilst in doubt of thy lover and how thou now spurnest me. Satan cannot keep my passion down. Spurn me, torture me, my blood has run to fire; I burn, but with these very flames will I consume thee. Thou hast bewitched me, woman.”
She hid her face in her hands.