Vaguely she
told herself that she would never again live with her mother in the
dark, dismal hut, where everything was smoke and confusion. But even
this seemed a wavering resolve. How could she promise herself
anything, when she had been so weak.....
A single tear broke from the stillness of her face, as she realized
that in all the haste of her flight she had nonetheless seized the
heavy cloak from its peg by the door, the same which she now wrapped
about her. She cried because this instinctive action showed her, more
even than the painful workings of her mind, that a part of her still
wanted to live. As much as she had loved Michael, and loathed the
thought of a world without him. . .still, she desired life. It was in
that moment an unbearable anguish.
She heard hoofbeats approaching from the west. This did not at first
seem to register, except perhaps for a dim realization that it could
not be the man she feared, who would have to approach from the
east---behind her.
The plateau had gradually sunk and narrowed, until now it was little
more than a rough gully between the two rocky shoulders which pressed
upon it.
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