Країна сліпих

           Hehadgivenhisanswer,hehadgivenhisconsent,andstillhewasnotsure. Andatlastwork-timewasover,thesunroseinsplendouroverthegoldencrests,andhislastdayofvisionbeganforhim. HehadafewminuteswithMedina-sarotibeforeshewentaparttosleep. 

           "To-morrow,"hesaid,"Ishallseenomore." 

           "Dearheart!"sheanswered,andpressedhishandswithallherstrength. 

           "Theywillhurtyoubutlittle,"shesaid; "andyouaregoingthroughthispain—youaregoingthroughit,dearlover,forme... Dear,ifawoman’sheartandlifecandoit,Iwillrepayyou. Mydearestone,mydearestwiththetendervoice,Iwillrepay." 

           Hewasdrenchedinpityforhimselfandher. 

           Heheldherinhisarms,andpressedhislipstohers,andlookedonhersweetfaceforthelasttime. "Good-bye!"hewhisperedatthatdearsight,"good-bye!" 

           Andtheninsilenceheturnedawayfromher. 

           Shecouldhearhisslowretreatingfootsteps,andsomethingintherhythmofthemthrewherintoapassionofweeping. 

           Hehadfullymeanttogotoalonelyplacewherethemeadowswerebeautifulwithwhitenarcissus,andthereremainuntilthehourofhissacrificeshouldcome,butashewenthelifteduphiseyesandsawthemorning,themorninglikeanangelingoldenarmour,marchingdownthesteeps... 

           Itseemedtohimthatbeforethissplendourhe,andthisblindworldinthevalley,andhislove,andall,werenomorethanapitofsin.