human
Foolish child! he said, as he set her down upon the grass outside.
gpt
I will not have you dashed to pieces upon the stone pavement of that dreary tower.
human
Do you intend to leave me to-night without saying one kind word to me? he suddenly asked, standing still. Pain and suppressed auger strove in his voice for the mastery.
gpt
Have I had the misfortune to offend you?
human
Yes, you have wounded me grievously.
gpt
Because I did not instantly chastise my cousin?
human
You could not,—his suit had your entire approbation. You, as well as the others, would have forced me to accept Herr von Hollfeld.
gpt
I force you? Oh, child, how little you understand a man’s heart? I was the victim of a terrible error when I uttered that ’yes.’ I longed to try if it were a delusion, and to free myself from it. Now you shall learn that I will banish everything that can remind you of to-day’s terror. You like Lindhof?
human
Yes.
gpt
The Baroness Lessen is about to leave the castle. Let me entreat you to be my sister’s stay and support when I leave her again, when I begin my wanderings anew. Will you consent?
human
I cannot promise to do so.
gpt
And why not?
human
Fräulein von Walde will not desire my society, and even if——. I have already declared once to-day that I shall not bear the new name.
gpt
What a strange reply! What has that to do with the matter? Ah, now I understand. At last I begin to see clearly. Then you think that I agreed to Hollfeld’s suit because you suddenly had a right to an ancient name? Speak, is not this the fact?
human
Yes, I believe this to be the fact.
gpt
And you suppose further, that the same reason leads me to desire your companionship for my sister. You are convinced that aristocratic pride prompts all my thoughts and actions?
human
Yes, yes.
gpt
Pray let me inquire of you what name you bore when I asked you for a birthday greeting, when we last walked together here in this path?
human
Then we did not know of the secret hidden in the ruins,
gpt
Have you forgotten the words which I dictated to you that afternoon?
human
No,—I remember every syllable of them with the greatest distinctness,
gpt
And do you think it possible that such words can end with, ’I hope the coming year will prove a happy one,’ or the like?
human
Listen to me quietly for one moment, Elizabeth, he continued, but he himself was so far from quiet that his voice sounded faint and faltering, as though half stifled by the throbbing of his heart,
gpt
And shall we not forget everything, my darling little Gold Elsie, that has occurred between the beginning and the conclusion of the birthday wish? My golden darling, the delight of my eyes, my own Elizabeth Ferber stands again before me, and will repeat after me what I say, will she not? The last sentence which was so cruelly interrupted—tell me what it was.
human
Here is my hand as the pledge of an unutterable bliss,
gpt
In life, in death, and for all eternity, I will be your own.