EPILOGUE
The man and woman moved through the cemetery, their faces dappled by the shadows of the tall, graceful cypresses that lined the path. They walked slowly in the shimmering heat of the noonday sun.
Sister Theresa said,“ I wish to tell you again how grateful we are for your generosity. I do not know what we would have done without you.”
Constantin Demiris waved a deprecating hand.“ Arkayto,” he said.“ It is nothing, Sister.”
But Sister Theresa knew that without this savior the nunnery would have had to close down years ago. And surely it was a sign from Heaven that now she had been able to repay him in some measure. It was a thriamvos, a triumph. She thanked Saint Dionysius again that the Sisters had been permitted to rescue the American friend of Demiris’ from the waters of the lake on that terrible night of the storm. True, something had happened to the woman’ s mind and she was like a child, but she would be cared for. Mr. Demiris had asked Sister Theresa to keep the woman here within these walls, sheltered and protected from the outside world for the rest of her life. He was such a good and kind man.
They had reached the end of the cemetery. A path wound down to a promontory where the woman stood, staring out at the calm, emerald lake below.
“ There she is,” Sister Theresa said.“ I will leave you now. Hayretay.”
Demiris watched Sister Theresa start back toward the nunnery, then he walked down the path to where the woman stood.
“ Good morning,” he said, gently.
She turned around slowly and looked at him. Her eyes were dull and vacant and there was no recognition on her face.
“ I brought you something,” Constantin Demiris said.
He nulled a small jewelry box out of his pocket and held it out to her. She stared at it like a small child.
“ Go on, take it.”
Slowly she reached out and took the box. She lifted the lid, and inside, nested in cotton, was a miniature, exquisitely made gold bird with ruby eyes and outstretched wings poised for flight. Demiris watched as the child-woman removed it from the box and held it up. The bright sun caught the gleam of its gold and the sparkle of its ruby eyes and sent tiny rainbows flashing through the air. She turned it from side to side, watching the lights dancing around her head.
“ I will not be seeing you again,” Demiris said,“ but you won’ t have to worry. No one