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Marius put his hand out and touched e of losing his self-control

When he spoke his voice was tre

He hated the storm inside himself and he was overcoave me no satisfaction at all

"You despise ht I knew you would weep, but in a very profound way, Iabout you Perhaps I never have "

"What's that, Master," I said with acidic drama

"You loved thee faults, and wild evil, they were not compromised for you You loved them perhaps more respectfully than Ithan I ever loved you "

He seemed so amazed

I could only nod I wasn't so sure he was right My need for them had never been tested, but I didn't want to tell him so

"Ar as you like "

"Good, because I just ht," I said "They love it, and I'm weary So thank you very much for that "

"But one thing more," he went on, "and I mean this with all my heart "

"What is it, Master?" I said

David stood by, and I was happy for that, for it seemed to act as a certain curb upon my tears

"I honestly don't know the answer to this, and I ask you in humility," Marius said "When you saw the Veil, as it you really saw? Oh, I don't mean was it Christ, or was it God, or was it a , drenched in blood, who had given birth to a religion guilty of more wars and more cruelty than any creed the world has ever known Don't be angry with me, please, just explain to nificent reminder of the ikons you once painted? Or was it truly so drenched in love and not in blood? Tell me If it was love and not blood, I would honestly like to know "

"You ask an old and simple question," I said, "and fro You wonder how He could have beenwhat you know of the Gospels and the Testaments printed in His name You wonder how I could have believed all that because you don't believe it, isn't that so?"