This word had given me courage, it rendered me bold. "I
thank you for that word, Francis; but it is not yet enough. Let me
be to you more than a friend; permit me----"

"More than a friend?" she cried, visibly agitated. "I beseech you,
Leopold, let us not aim at what cannot be realized, nor destroy
this relationship which is dear to me, by striving after the
impossible. Promise me seriously, Leopold, you will not mention this
subject to me again, or use any such language to me."

This answer seemed very like a formal refusal, and yet I remarked an
emotion in her voice which to a certain extent reassured me.

"And why should it be impossible, Francis?" I resumed, mustering up
all my courage.

This time I got no answer; she uttered a shriek and rushed off to the
summer-house, I following her. There a frightful spectacle awaited us.

Rudolf, the miserable Rudolf, was on his knees before his father,
kissing his hand. The latter was seated on the bench, to all appearance
motionless. Suddenly Rudolf uttered a cry of terror and despair.

"I warned you," said Francis; "you have been the death of your father."

"No, Francis, no, he has fainted. But I found him in this condition;
I swear to you by all that's dear to me that I found him thus."

The fact was that the General had become stiff and motionless as
a corpse. The trellis work alone had prevented his falling to the
ground. His face had turned a little blue, his eyes were fixed and
wide open, and his features distorted. Francis rubbed his temples with
the contents of her scent-bottle. This friction revived him a little;
but prompt medical aid was necessary.

"Tell me where the village doctor lives," cried Rudolf, beside himself
in his agitation, "that I may fly to him."

"It will be better to send Fritz," replied Francis, in a cold,
decided tone.

I ran off in search of the old and faithful servant, to whom I
explained the state of affairs.

"The General has had an attack!" he exclaimed, with tears in his eyes,
"and it is my fault!"

"How so?"

"I ought not to have allowed it--but I--I could not drive away the
only son of the house."

"Of course not, but keep your own counsel and make haste."

And the old soldier started off at a speed I had thought him little
capable of.

When I returned the General was in the same condition; Rudolf,
leaning against a tree, was wringing his hands.

"That will do no good," Francis said to him; "help me to carry him