AB. I long with all my heart to betrothe her to Christ and to initiate her into her novitiate.
EPH. Most praiseworthy!
AB. Her very name compels me to it.
EPH. What is her name?
AB. Mary.
EPH. So it does. So fair a name well suits the virgin's crown.
AB. I have no doubt that, if we gently encourage and lead her on, we shall find her ready enough to do what we propose.
EPH. Let us go to her, then, and try to make her realise the sense of freedom and peace that the virgin-life gives.
(They go out together.)
SECOND SCENE.
The door of Abraham's cell. Abraham and Ephraim sitting talking to Mary.
ABRAHAM. Come Mary, my adopted child and half of my own soul, will you be guided by my fatherly advice, & by the wholesome counsels of my friend Ephraim here? Are you willing to try
