Part 39 (2/2)
”Leave me, because my brother has deserted?”
”Yes.”
”But this is madness!”
”It is my duty as a soldier.”
”Then you do not love me?”
”Love you. Ah!... But honour forbids me to marry you. I cannot become the brother-in-law of a deserter. I am an officer, a von Farnow!”
”Well, cease to be an officer and continue to love me,” cried Lucienne, holding out her arms to the rigid figure in blue.
”Wilhelm, true honour consists in loving me, Lucienne Oberle, in keeping the promise you made me! Leave my brother to go his own way, but don't spoil our two lives.”
Farnow could scarcely speak; the veins of his neck were swollen with his efforts for self-control.
”There is worse to come,” he said at last, ”you must know the truth, Lucienne. I must denounce him.”
”Denounce him? Jean? You cannot. I forbid you!” cried Lucienne with a gesture of horror.
”I must do so. Military law compels me to do so.”
”It is not true!--it is too cruel.”
”I will prove it to you. Hermann!”
Hermann came forward in amazement.
”Listen. What is the article of the law relating to any person who has knowledge of a plan of desertion?”
The soldier collected his thoughts, and recited:
”Any one who shall have credible knowledge of a plan of desertion, when there is still time to frustrate it, and who does not give information thereof to his superiors, is liable to be imprisoned for ten months, and during war for three years.”
”Quick! To horse!” cried Farnow. ”We must start.
”Farewell, Lucienne.”
She ran forward and seized his arm.
”No, no, you must not go; I shall not let you.”
He gazed a moment on her tear-stained face, where ardent love and sorrow were mingled.
”You must not go! Do you hear?” she repeated.
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