Part 21 (1/2)
”O, much longer than that even,” said Nanna, joining in Gottlieb's laugh.
”And as we have remained by our agreement not to fall in love with each other, we part as friends, and not in despair, and what is still better, not with reproaches, which, had the case been different, we would have been obliged to make and listen to.”
”Yes, it is fortunate, very fortunate, that--that--” stammered Nanna, unable to finish the sentence.
”We need not conceal from ourselves that in making that arrangement we ran a great risk. For my part, I am not too proud to say that it has been very difficult for me to keep it.”
”But Gottlieb,” replied Nanna, ”as you have kept it, it is better as it is.”
”Certainly; but then it is not so good as I wish to have it.”
”How do you wish it to be then?” inquired Nanna innocently.
”Upon my honor I can hardly say; but if I was placed in better circ.u.mstances--” Nanna dropped her eyelids over their soft tell-tale orbits; but not so quickly but that Gottlieb detected a ray of hope gleaming from their deep wells.
”Will you advise me what course to take, when I have obtained a competency?” continued Gottlieb.
”No, that would be of no use; but Mr. Gottlieb, when I hear that you have wedded the rich wife of whom you have spoken, I will rejoice at your good fortune.”
”And does not the thought of that rich wife cost you even half a sigh?”
”Not if that wife will render you happy.”
”Nanna, you speak as though you did not love me at all!” exclaimed Gottlieb hastily, forgetting entirely the part he had determined to play during this interview.
”And should I love you?” inquired Nanna blus.h.i.+ng deeply. ”I think I am not such a foolish girl as that.”
”But I believe that you love me,” replied Gottlieb. ”Can you deny that your heart is mine?”
”I do not deny it; but I shall not allow it to be so,” said Nanna with a glance that immediately cooled Gottlieb's sudden ardor. ”My heart is my own, and should not be an object of trouble to you; and I a.s.sure you Mr.
Gottlieb that I shall not allow any weakness on my part to cause you to break the judicious contract we have made.”
”Ah! Nanna, you are both wise and charitable. I shall not endeavor to wrest the secret from you; but you are so much esteemed by me, that at some future day, when I can follow my own inclinations I will return to you.”
”I will forget these last words, Mr. Gottlieb, for I think them the saddest you have ever uttered.”
”You are right; but I spoke as I thought. It is not my fault if I thought that you were above all others most suitable to become my wife.”
As he thus spoke Nanna trembled violently and she looked upon him with a gaze which contained more bitterness than words could have expressed.
”I believe I am mad indeed. I have endeavored to speak in a better spirit, and instead of so doing--I had better go immediately--or--”
”Or what?”
”Or I will, yes, I will, hold you to my heart, and swear to you, as true as I am an honest man, that I love you, and you alone, come what may, I can withhold myself no longer.” Gottlieb suited the action to the word, and enfolded the blus.h.i.+ng girl in his warm embrace.
”O, Gottlieb!” cried Nanna, weeping and laughing, ”this is madness indeed!”