Part 68 (2/2)
”Never too late!” exclaimed Sophie, pa.s.sionately, and showing how deeply her heart was moved. ”It is never too late to confess a mistake which must make you and him unspeakably unhappy. Do not misunderstand me, Helen! I do not speak in favor of that man who, if he ever really deserved your love, has long since forfeited all claim to it. I never was a friend of his; his so-called brilliant qualities never attracted me, because they were not founded upon goodness of heart; and, in my eyes, good old Bemperlein stands immeasurably higher than Oswald Stein.
But, because he is not worthy of you, must you therefore marry a man for whom your heart feels nothing, however estimable he may otherwise be? Are there no other men in the world but Oswald and the prince? Oh, Helen! I wish I had the tongue of angels to touch your heart, so that you might humbly bow before the truth, and esteem all the splendor of the world as nothing in comparison with the happiness you would find in being true to yourself!”
Helen shuddered as if really one of the heavenly hosts were speaking to her.
”Oh, you are so good!” she said. ”I wish I were like you.”
”You can be so, if you but choose.”
”But how can I escape? I have pledged my word! I cannot take it back!”
”Speak openly to the prince!” said Sophie, who thought such a remedy quite simple and natural.
”Rather die!” murmured Helen.
At that moment there came a knock at the door. The servant appeared with a note in his hand.
”A special messenger, ma'am, on horseback, with a note from the baroness.”
Helen seized the note hastily.
”From mamma!”
She cast a glance at it and trembled.
”What is it, Helen?”
”Mamma has just heard from Grenwitz, that brother has been taken very ill. She must go back immediately!”
”Poor girl!” said Sophie. ”How pale and frightened you look! Shall I go with you?”
”No, no!” said Helen. ”You stay! I must go alone. Good-by, dearest Sophie! Good-by!”
Helen tore herself from Sophie's arms.
Sophie accompanied her to the carriage. She held her friend's hand firmly in her own, and said: ”Let me hear from you, Helen! And, Helen, whatever you do, follow the voice of your warm heart; it is a better counsellor than your cold intellect!”
”I will do so,” said Helen, already in the carriage; ”you may rely upon it, I will do so. Good-by!”
The servant closed the door; the carriage dashed off. Sophie followed it with her eyes till it had turned the nearest corner, then she went slowly back to the house, her lovely face bent thoughtfully to the ground.
CHAPTER XIII.
In a room in the second story of the Hotel de Russie, Under the Lindens, Berger was closeted that same afternoon with Director Schmenckel. They had had a long interview, and Mr. Schmenckel was just rising to say good-by. Berger rose likewise.
”You know exactly what you have to say?”
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