Part 34 (2/2)
Looking away from me, Fritz answered:
”She has sent for you When it is over, coe I'll wait for you there”
”What does she want?” said I, breathing quickly
He shook his head
”Does she know everything?”
”Yes, everything”
He opened a door, and gently pushi+ng -rooht that I was alone, for the light that came from a pair of shaded candles on the mantelpiece was very di by theI kneas the princess, and I walked up to her, fell on one knee, and carried the hand that hung by her side to my lips She neither looleam of her hair, and before I knew, I spoke softly:
”Flavia!”
She trembled a little, and looked round Then she darted tohold of me
”Don't stand, don't stand! No, you mustn't! You're hurt! Sit down--here, here!”
She made me sit on a sofa, and put her hand onon her knees by ainst , how hot your head is!”
Soe of his lover's heart I had come to humble myself and pray pardon for my presumption; but what I said noas:
”I love you with all my heart and soul!”
For what troubled and shamed her? Not her love for me, but the fear that I had counterfeited the lover as I had acted the King, and taken her kisses with a smothered s to me ”Always, from the first moment I saw you in the Cathedral! There has been but one woman in the world toI've done you!”
”Theyher head and looking in ht have made no difference if I'd known it It was always you, never the King!”
”I ht of the ball in Strelsau, when Sapt interruptedyou before--before--Ito die!”
”I know, I know! What are we to do now, Rudolf?”
I put oing away tonight”
”Ah, no, no!” she cried ”Not tonight!”
”I ht, before more people have seen me And hoould you have me stay, sweetheart, except--?”