tood before him in her pride and anger.
"Feodor," said she, terrified, "you sent those fearful men! You caused
me to be kidnapped!" With an angry, penetrating glance, she looked at
Feodor, who sank his eyes in confusion to the ground.

As she saw this, she smiled contemptuously, and her injured maiden
honor overcame her love and tenderness. "Ah! now I understand!" said
she, with cutting scorn. "I have been told of the hunt after human
beings which is carried on in the town. Colonel Feodor von Brenda
plays a worthy part in this game!"

Feodor wished to approach her and take her hand, but she repulsed him
sternly. "Do not touch me," cried she, haughtily; "do not seek to take
my hand. You are no longer he whom I love. You are a kidnapper. But
let me tell you, though you have compelled my body to suffer this
dishonorable deed, yet my soul remains free, and that despises you!"

It was a splendid sight to see her in her noble wrath, which seemed to
elevate her whole frame, and drive a deep glow to her cheeks.

Feodor looked at her with ardent gaze. Never had he seen her so
fascinating, so charmingly beautiful. Even her wrath delighted him,
for it was a token of her purity and innocence.

He wanted again to draw near to her, to take her to his heart, but she
drew back in pride and anger. "Go," said she, "I have nothing to do
with a man who violates the most sacred laws of human honor, and like
a vile thief sneaks in to destroy innocence." Her voice failed her,
her eyes filled with tears, but she shook them from her. "I weep,"
said she, "but not for grief, nor yet for love; anger it is alone
which extorts tears from me, and they are bitter--far more bitter than
death." And as she thus spoke, she pressed her hands to her face, and
wept bitterly.

Feodor passed his arm gently around her trembling form. In the excess
of her grief she did not feel it. "No, Elise," said he, "you weep
because you love me. You weep because you think me unworthy of your
love. But before you condemn me, listen to me. I swear to you by the
memory of my mother, the only woman in whom, besides yourself, I
ever believed, that I had no part in this treachery which has been
committed toward you. You must believe me, Elise! Look at me, beloved
one--I can bear your looks. I dare raise my eyes to you. I am not
guilty of this crime."

Her hands glided slowly from her face, and she looked at him. Their
looks met, and rested for a long time on each other. S