Part 10 (2/2)
Louise gazed into his beautiful, smiling face with terror.
”Ah, my prince, my words have not the meaning you imagine. I spoke the simple truth. My heart has made its choice--since yesterday, I am the betrothed wife of Captain du Trouffle.”
”That is not true,” cried the prince, casting her hands violently from him. ”You are very cruel today; you torture me with your fearful jests.”
”No, your highness, I speak the truth. I am the betrothed of Captain du Trouffle.”
”Since yesterday you are the betrothed of Captain du Trouffle!” repeated the prince, staring at her wildly. ”And you say you love him, Louise?”
”Yes, your highness, I love him,” said Louise, with a faint smile.
”It is impossible,” cried the prince; ”it is not true.”
”And why should I deceive your highness?”
”Why?--ah, I understand all. Oh, Louise, my poor darling, how short-sighted I have been! Why did I not immediately suspect my brother?--he has spies to watch all my movements; they have at last discovered my love for you. Pollnitz, who would do any thing for gold, has betrayed us to the king, who condemns me to marry according to my rank, and, to carry out his purpose surely, he now forces you to marry.
Oh, Louise, say that this is so; acknowledge that the power of the king, and not your own heart, forced you to this engagement. It is impossible, it cannot be that you have forgotten the vows that we exchanged scarcely two weeks ago. It cannot be that you look upon the heart that loved you so deeply, so purely, as an idle plaything, to be thrown away so lightly! No, no, Louise, I have seen often in your beaming eyes, your eloquent smiles, I have felt in your soft and tender tones, that you loved me fondly; and now in your pale, sad face I see that you love me still, and that it is the king who wishes to separate us. My poor, lovely child, you have been intimidated; you think that my brother, who reigns supreme over millions, will yield to no obstacle, that it is vain to resist him. But you are mistaken, Louise; you have forgotten that I am Frederick's brother, that the proud, unconquerable blood of the Hohenzollerns flows also in my veins. Let my brother try to force me to his purpose; I shall be no weak tool in his hands. You had not firm confidence in your lover, Louise; you did not know that I would resign cheerfully rank and all family ties for your sake; you did not know that I had sworn to marry only the woman I love. This I must do to satisfy my heart and my honor, and also to show the king that Prince Henry is a free man. Now tell me, Louise, if I have not divined all. Is not this the king's cruel work? Ah, you do not answer, you are silent. I understand--the king has made you swear not to betray him. Now look at me, Louise; make me a sign with your hand, tell me with your eyes, and I will comprehend you--I will take you in my arms and carry you to the altar. My G.o.d! Louise do you not see that I am waiting for this sign?--that you are torturing me?”
Louise raised her head, her heart was melting within her; she forgot her terror, and was ready to resist G.o.d, the king, and the whole world, to grasp the n.o.ble and unselfish love that the prince offered her. But her glance fell involuntarily upon the curtain, behind which the king stood, and it seemed to her as if she saw the angry, burning eyes of Frederick threatening to destroy her. She remembered her daughter, Fritz Wendel, and the world's mocking laughter, and was overcome.
”You are still silent,” said the prince; ”you give me neither sign nor glance.”
Louise felt as if an iron hand was tearing her heart asunder.
”I really am at a loss what more to say or do,” she said, in a careless tone, that made her own heart shudder. ”It pleases your highness to make a jest of what I say. I am innocent, my prince, of any double meaning.
Five weeks have pa.s.sed since I saw you--I believed you had forgotten me; I did not reproach you, neither was I in despair. I soon found that it was stupid and dreary to have my heart unoccupied, and I sought for and soon found a lover, to whom my heart became a willing captive.
Therefore, when Captain Trouffle pleaded earnestly for my hand, I had not the courage to say no. This is my only crime, your highness. I was not cruel to myself; I received the happiness that was offered. I have been called a coquette, my prince; it is time to bind myself in marriage bonds, and show the world that love can make an honest woman of me. Can your highness blame me for this?”
The prince listened with breathless attention; gradually his countenance changed, the color faded from his cheeks, the light from his eyes; a smile was still on his lips, but it was cold and mocking; his eyes burned with anger and contempt.
”No, madame,” he said, with calm, proud indifference, ”I do not blame you--I praise, I congratulate you. Captain du Trouffle is a most fortunate man--he will possess a most beautiful wife. When will this happy ceremony be performed?”
Madame von Kleist was unable to reply. She gazed with wild terror into his cold, iron face--she listened with horror to that voice, whose mild, soft tone had become suddenly so harsh, so stern.
The prince repeated his question, and his tone was harder and more imperious.
”The day is not fixed,” said Louise; ”we must first obtain the king's consent to our marriage.”
”I shall take care it does not fail you,” said the prince, quietly.
”I will strengthen your pet.i.tion to the king. Now, madame, you must forgive me for leaving you. Many greetings to your betrothed--I shall be introduced to him to-morrow at the parade. Farewell, madame!”
The prince made a slight bow, and, without glancing at her again, left the room slowly and proudly.
Louise gazed after him with mournful eyes, but he did not see it; he did not see how she fell, as if broken, to the floor, as if struck by lightning; and when the door closed on him she held her hands to Heaven pleadingly for mercy and forgiveness.
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