Fragments of Delecta

I imagine Delecta as the kind of girl who hasn't a consistent bone in her body and is blown about before every wind of her emotions, like a kite. I suppose you could say that her growth trajectory in Prodesse and Delecta is all about growing a backbone and getting anchored. Of course, her changeableness is deeply offensive to Prodesse. Here is a fragment which demonstrates this:

“How little we realize,” said Prodesse, “That God is high and powerful, and solid, so that He cannot be altered.”
“You should say, ‘how little we realize that man is small and weak, and insubstantial and changeable,’” Delecta replied, tossing a pebble into the stream. She watched the ripples attentively. “How beautiful are circles within circles!”
“Delecta.” His tone measured out a spoonful of impatience. Delecta sighed.
“I repent me. You said?”
“I was speaking of things meaningful, and you interrupt me with circles! How will you ever get on with the truth, little woman, if you are so easily distracted?”
“Do you notice that we have applied the word ‘how’ to three different things: our realization of God, the circles, and myself?”
“What has that to do with the question?”
“Or do you ever stop to think that these circles within circles might represent the question—say, the littlest circle is us, and the outermost circle is God—or, say, the outermost circle, that trembles and vanishes soonest, is us, and the innermost circle, which remains longest and spreads to cover everything, is God. You see, Prodesse, you do not think of these things. But am I any less aware of the question because I think in images and patterns? The word ‘how’ we have applied to three things, each time ringing a change on the same word, which is a kind of variety within unity. It would sound well in an address to a crowd—it would move them. Do you not wish to persuade people of the truth that is so near your heart?”

Of course my epic allegory about truth and beauty wouldn't be any good unless Prodesse and Delecta wind up married. Even I know that. However, really powerful love scenes are abominably difficult to write. Still, I keep trying. Here is a fragment from one version, in which Delecta finds herself really caring about somebody besides herself (Prodesse) for the first time. I can't say that she's particularly clear on it or happy about it:

“I love you,” Delecta said, simply. “I would give life’s blood to know what that means, but—all minds fail somewhere. Mine fails here. I use the word that others use when they have got a blow such as mine. I cannot tell what love is, or what I am to do. I ache. I find no peace anywhere in myself, and I believe that whatever else love may be—that it brings me the greatest possible pain. Still, I love you. My life is confusion, and I want to ask ….” She trailed off for a moment, and then went on, brokenly, “I do not understand—I do not—my heart aches, you see. I have got a wound. Some one has bitten at my heart. I think I must bleed. Am I bleeding? Oh, if you can heal me, do it! Throw stones at me—send me away! Or go away yourself, can't you! Oh, gods! Go away!”