Part 12 (2/2)
She raised her head from his breast, and looked at him for a long time, and her countenance a.s.sumed a bright, happy expression.
”Oh,” said she, ”do I call myself poor when I have you? I am no longer poor since I have known you, but I have been so; and this, my friend, must be the excuse for my love. I stood in the midst of the cold glitter of gold as in an enchanted castle, and all around me was lifeless, stiffened into torpidity by enchantment, and I knew no talisman to break the charm. You came, and brought with you love. The talisman was found; a warm life awoke in me, and all the splendor of gold crumbled into dust. I was rich then, for I loved; now I am rich, for you love me!”
”Yes, I love you,” cried he; ”let your father keep his treasures. You, and only you, do I desire.”
She sprang up startled from his arms. In the overpowering happiness of the hour she had entirely forgotten the danger which threatened her lover. She suddenly remembered, and her cheek paled.
”My father!” cried she, ”if he should come at this moment! His look alone would be enough to kill me.” And anxiously and tremblingly she clung to Feodor.
”Fear not, dear one,” he whispered, ”he is not coming. G.o.d protects and watches over those who love each other. Do not think of danger.
Banish all care, all fear. This hour belongs to us, and as I now fold you in my arms with delight, so let it be always and forever. For you know, precious child, that you are mine, that you can never belong to another; that you have pledged yourself, and at some future time must follow me as your husband.”
”I know it, I know it,” she murmured; and, in blissful self-forgetfulness, she leaned her head on his shoulder, and listened with beating heart to the burning, pa.s.sionate words which he poured into her ear.
Of a sudden, with the rapidity of lightning, she sprang up, as if an electric shock had pervaded her body, and listened eagerly.
As Feodor was about to speak, to inquire the cause of her sudden terror, she quickly pressed her hand to his mouth. ”Silence,”
whispered she softly. ”I heard it distinctly. My father is coming hither through the garden!”
They both listened in silence. In the quiet of the night Gotzkowsky's voice was now heard. He ordered his servants to shut the garden gates carefully, and watch them well, as the Russians entering the town would pa.s.s by this wall.
”You are right,” said Feodor; ”it is your father. Truly this is an unlucky accident.”
”He will kill me if he finds you here,” murmured Elise, clinging, half fainting, to her lover's arm.
”I will protect you with my life,” said he, pressing her more firmly to him.
”No, no!” cried she breathlessly; ”he must not find you here. No one must see you. Oh, Feodor, listen to me. He is not alone; Bertram and his servants are with him. Oh, my G.o.d, they will kill you! Save yourself; leave me, Feodor, and conceal yourself!” And drawing him with irresistible strength to the door, she whispered, ”In there, in my bedroom conceal yourself.”
”Never,” said he firmly and decidedly. ”Never will I hide myself, or sneak away like a coward!”
”You must do it,” entreated she; and as she saw that he hesitated and drew back unwillingly, she continued: ”Not for your sake--for the sake of my honor, Feodor. Remember it is night, and I am alone with you.”
”Yes, you are right,” said Feodor sadly. ”Hide me; no spot must tarnish your honor.”
With convulsive haste, Elise drew him to the door of her chamber.
Gotzkowsky's voice was heard just outside the window.
”Quick! hasten, they are coming!” said she, pulling the door open, and pus.h.i.+ng him hurriedly on.
”He is saved,” cried her heart joyfully, as she closed the door after him, and, sinking down, half fainting in a chair, her lips murmured, ”Have mercy, gracious G.o.d; have mercy on him and me!”
At this moment her father, accompanied by Bertram and the factory workman, Balthazar, entered the room through the door of the balcony.
CHAPTER XVI.
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