human
Please do not ride so near the brink, Sir Max, pleaded Yolanda.
gpt
It frightens me.
human
in the presence of timid and interesting ladies. Without that spirit of
gpt
what would induce our knights to meet in glorious tournaments? Without it, what would our chivalry amount to? Without it, why should a peacock spread its tail? I do not belittle it, since from this spirit of
human
arises one great good--respect for the opinion of our fellow-man. So Max, with a dash of
gpt
It is very brave in you, Sir Max, to go so near the brink, said Yolanda, ironically,
human
Gladly I will,
gpt
Do you know, said Yolanda, with as much seriousness as she could easily command,
human
I have heard many conflicting stories concerning this Duke Charles, said Max.
gpt
Some persons say he is all that is brave and noble; others declare that he is fierce, passionate, and bad. I wonder which I shall find him to be?
human
Do you expect to take service with him?
gpt
No, answered Max,
human
I think I shall not take service with the duke. In truth, I don't know what I shall do. For what purpose I am going to Burgundy I am sure I cannot say.
gpt
Perhaps you are going to Burgundy or to France to win the lady who gave you the ring?
human
That would be an impossible thought, Fräulein. If you but knew who the lady is, you would understand that such a hope on my part were a phantasy. But I have no such hope or wish. I do not now want to win the lady of the ring.
gpt
No, no, Sir Max, said Yolanda, protestingly,
human
Do you really wish me success, Fräulein?
gpt
Indeed I do, responded the girl, joyously;
human
I will pray to the Virgin and ask her to help you to win this fair lady who gave you the ring.
gpt
I thank you for your good wishes, returned Max,
human
Indeed? Why, may I ask?
gpt
Because, Fräulein--because I had hoped--
human
You had hoped for what, Sir Max?
gpt
I had hoped for nothing, Fräulein, he answered.
human
I am satisfied as matters now stand between us. Your words at supper last evening rang in my ears all night, 'Chained to a throne; chained to a throne.' I knew you referred to my unhappy lot when you spoke, though how you guessed the truth concerning my station I do not know.
gpt
You cannot know the terrible truth of your words, continued Max.
human
I will tell you a part of my secret, Fräulein. All my life I have been cut off--chained to a throne--from the fellowship of men and the love of friends. Karl is the only friend I have ever known save my mother until I met you and your good people. Only the good God can know how I have longed and hungered since childhood for friendship; even for companionship. I did not know what I yearned for until since my arrival at Basel. Truly it is not good for man to be alone, even though he be upon a throne. I am not upon a throne, Fräulein, but I am near one--a small, barren throne, whose greatest attribute is its ancestry. My home is a sad, lonely place--how lonely even you, who have guessed so shrewdly and who speak so eloquently, cannot know. You should thank God for your lowly birth and your lowly friends.
gpt
I do,
human
But we cannot break the chains that have been welded a thousand years--that have grown stronger and tighter with each generation, said Max.
gpt
You truthfully said, 'One may only endure.'
human
I also said that at rare moments one may hope,
gpt
Not I, Fräulein. I may not even hope. I am doomed,
human
No, no, Sir Max,
gpt
I am sure the secret of my station is safe with you.
human
You need not doubt, Sir Max, she responded.
gpt
You cannot know how safe it is. She turned brightly upon him and continued,
human
Let me invoke my spirits, Sir Max. She raised her eyes, saint-fashion, toward heaven, and spoke under her breath:
gpt
I hear the word 'hope,' Sir Max, 'hope.' It is very faint, but better faint than not at all.
human
I tell you there is no hope for me, Fräulein, responded Max, desperately.
gpt
It is cruel in you to say there is. It is doubly cruel to speak jestingly.
human
I speak earnestly, said Yolanda.
gpt
There is hope. If you win the lady who gave you the ring, you will be happy. I do not jest.
human
You do. You mock me, cried Max.
gpt
I tell you, Yolanda, there is in all the world no woman for me save--save one upon whom I may not think. Yolanda's face grew radiant, though tears moistened her eyes.
human
Even though it were possible for me to defy my parents, to turn my face against my country, my people, and the sacred traditions of my house, by asking her to share my life, there could be only wretchedness ahead for her, and therefore unhappiness for me. The dove and the eagle may not mate. Consider the fate of sweet Agnes Bernauer, who married Duke Albert and perished in the Danube. I tell you, Fräulein, I am hopeless. When I return to my people, I shall do so knowing that life thereafter will be something to endure, not a blessing to thank God for.
gpt
No, no, Sir Max, murmured the girl,
human
A man knows when he lives; a man knows when he is dying, and a man, if he be worthy of the name, knows when he loves a woman. I am not sure that the sun shines, Fräulein, than I am that I shall not forget this woman nor cease to sorrow for her all the days of my life.
gpt
You must not speak such words to me, Sir Max, said Yolanda, reprovingly.
human
I, too, must live and be happy if--if I can.