XI
HOW ALBRECHT CONFESSED.
The dawn was only just beginning to glow when Erna awakened next morning; but Albrecht had already arisen, and was standing, fully dressed, by the bedside. She started up from her pillow and regarded him with surprise.
"Where art thou going?" she asked. "Surely thou wert not trying to steal away without my knowing?"
Albrecht bent over and kissed her fondly.
"I am going," he answered, in a tone of strange tenderness and solemnity, "to the chamber of Father Christopher. I was interrupted yesterday when I should have made confession."
"Come again quickly!" Erna cried, putting up her white arms to clasp them about her husband's neck.
He returned the embrace with passionate eagerness.
"How can I ever repay thee," he murmured, "for what thou givest me! But at least, sweetheart," he added, as he freed himself from her clinging arms, "I have at last learned what thou didst mean when thou didst reprove me for kissing the damsel in the hall; and henceforth I cannot care for the kisses of any save of thee only."