"
"I do not fear Israel Kafka, and I fear death less," answered Unorna
deliberately. "Why does he mean to kill me?"
"I think that in his place most every human men would feel as he does,
though religion, or prudence, or fear, or all three together, might
prevent them from doing what they would wish to do."
"You too? And which of the three would prevent you from murdering me?"
"None, perhaps--though pity might."
"I want no pity, least of all from you. What I have done, I have done
for you, and for you only."
The Wanderer's face showed only a cold disgust. He said nothing.
"You do not seem surprised," said Unorna. "You know that I love you?"
"I know it."
A silence followed, during which Unorna returned to her former attitude,
turning her eyes away and resting her chin upon her hand. The Wanderer
began to grow impatient.
"I must repeat that, in my opinion, you have not much time to spare,"
he said. "If you are not in a place of safety in half an hour, I cannot
answer for the consequences."
"No time? There is all eternity. What is eternity, or time, or life to
me? I will wait for him here. Why did you tell him what I did, if you
wished me to live?"
"Why--since there are to be questions--why did you exercise your cruelty
upon an innocent man who loves you?"
"Why? There are reasons enough!" Unorna's voice trembled slightly. "You
do not know what happened. How should you? You were asleep.
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