“People have always forgotten their worries in nature’s arms,” she said, laughing.

She squatted on the grass and gave herself up, soul and body, to the water, the green lawns, and the cloud-dotted sky. He watched her with admiration and warmly endorsed what she said about the beauties of nature. But when he looked around all he saw was scenery that had never meant anything to him in the past; nor did it now. The fact was, he was always absorbed in an inner world, a world of restricted thoughts and fancies conjured up by instinct, a world in which God and God’s earthly glory, and the conflict between good and evil, predominated. These things apart, he saw nothing of life.

“Surely you love nature!”

“I love you.”

“Look at these happy couples all around us!”

“Yes, there are so many of them!”

She rested her palm on his hand as she said, “Let’s forget our worries, it’s so refreshing here.”

“Yes, let’s!”

“But you’re so sad.”

He sighed without speaking.

“Look,” she said, “you are a senior official in grade one. Others would be happy with much less than that.” He nearly told her that true faith was the contrary of trivial happiness.

“I’m not like other officials, and to prevent me from occupying the position I deserve is despicable behavior and a blatant breach of the moral system the state operates on.”

“Don’t you think you set too high a value on government positions?”

“A government position is a brick in the edifice of the state, and the state is an exhalation of the spirit of God, incarnate on earth.”

She gazed at him with amazement and he realized that she did not comprehend the nature of his faith and all it comprised.

“That’s a new idea to me,” she said. “But I’ve often heard that the spirit of the people comes from the spirit of God.”

He smiled scornfully. “Don’t speak to me about political conflicts!”

“But that’s the real life.”

“What absolute rubbish!”

“But the whole world…”

“The real world,” he interrupted her, “is in the depths of the heart.” His heart ached at the thought that she might think he was mad, as some idiots did, and he said to her, seeking a way out, “Let’s not argue!”

She gave way and smiled sweetly.

“It’s time,” he went on, seeking refuge in a new hope, “to make our marriage public.”

She blushed. “Is our way clear now?”

“We must face life with courage to be worthy of happiness.”

“How beautiful to hear you say that!”

“I’m going to tell my wife.” His face brightened with a smile. “A sacred power calls on me to start life afresh and father children I can be proud of.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

He declared his good intentions again in the presence of Radiya’s aunt.