Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 17
Miriammisunderstoodmysilence,forherbodymovedsoftlywithinmyarmsassheadded,asifinafterthought:
“Taketwosparehorses,Lodbrog.Ishallridetheother...withyou...withyou,awayovertheworld,whereveryoumayride.”
Itwasabribeofkings;itwasanact,paltryandcontemptible,thatwasdemandedofmeinreturn.StillIdidnotspeak.ItwasnotthatIwasinconfusionorinanydoubt.Iwasmerelysad—greatlyandsuddenlysad,inthatIknewIheldinmyarmswhatIwouldneverholdagain.
“ThereisbutonemaninJerusalemthisdaywhocansaveHim,”sheurged,“andthatmanisyou,Lodbrog.”
BecauseIdidnotimmediatelyreplysheshookme,asifinimpulsetoclarifywitssheconsideredaddled.Sheshookmetillmyharnessrattled.
“Speak,Lodbrog,speak!”shecommanded.“Youarestrongandunafraid.Youareallman.IknowyoudespisetheverminwhowoulddestroyHim.You,youalonecansaveHim.Youhavebuttosaythewordandthethingisdone;andIwillwellloveyouandalwaysloveyouforthethingyouhavedone.”
“IamaRoman,”Isaidslowly,knowingfullwellthatwiththewordsIgaveupallhopeofher.
