would sooner face death a hundred times
than that the Colonel should run the very slightest risk; but the
Colonel hurried away without reply.

As soon as he had gone, the lovers fell into each other's arms, and
vowed unalterable fidelity. Angelica said that it was not until her
father told her of the Count's views with regard to her, that she felt,
in the depths of her soul, how unspeakably precious and dear Moritz was
to her, and that she would rather die than marry any one else. Also
that she had felt certain for a long time, that he loved her just as
deeply. Then they both bethought themselves of all the occasions when
they had given any betrayal of their love for each other; and, in
short, were in a condition of the highest enjoyment and blissfulness,
like two children, forgetting all about the Colonel and his anger and
opposition. Madame von G----, who had long watched the growth of this
affection, and approved of Angelica's choice with all her heart,
promised, with deep emotion, to leave no stone unturned to prevent the
Colonel from entering into an alliance which she abhorred, without
precisely knowing why.

When an hour or so had passed, the door opened and, to the surprise of
all, Count S---- came in, followed by the Colonel, whose eyes were
gleaming. The Count went up to Angelica, took her hand, and looked at
her with a smile of bitter pain. Angelica shrank, and murmured almost
inaudibly, "Oh! those eyes!"

"You turn pale, Mademoiselle," said the Count, "just as you did when
first I came into this house. Do you truly look upon me as a terrible
spectre? No, no; do not be afraid of me, Angelica. I do but love you
with all the fervour and passion of a younger man. I had no knowledge
that you had given away your heart, when I was foolish enough to make
an offer for your hand. Even your father's promise does not give me the
slightest claim to a happiness which it is yours alone to bestow. You
are free, Mademoiselle. Even the sight of me shall no longer remind
you of the moments of sadness which I have caused you. Soon, perhaps
to-morrow, I shall go back to my own country."

"Moritz! My Moritz!" Angelica cried in the utmost joy and delight, and
threw herself on her lover's breast. The Count trembled in every limb;
his eyes gleamed with an unwonted fire, his lips twitched convulsively;
he uttered a low inarticulate sound. But turning quickly to Madame von
G---- with some indifferent question, he succeeded in mast