"For myself, what have I left to desire? A bullet through my head. But there is one thing which can save me."
"What is that?"
"It is yourself. To show you what greatness is, to see you great—for that I would still gladly live and fight. If there is such a thing as admiration, as bowing before what is noble, before a world-subduing genius, I"—
He made a motion, a step forward. Bella regained composure, and said quietly,—
"Be seated."
A singular expression passed over his face at the words; but he seated himself, and continued,—
"Countess, I know not what plans you may have—yet no: I think I do know your present plans. Do not interrupt me; let me speak. If I have been mistaken in you, then is my whole life, then are all my thoughts, my efforts, my conflicts, nothing but madness, and the pathetic declaimers of lofty phrases are in the right. Countess Bella, you once said a noble thing to me: 'A resolute nature knows no family, must have no family.' That is my guiding star. I have no longer a family; I am nothing in the world but myself; and you—you should be nothing but yourself. You have never been yourself till now; but now you ought, you can, you must be."
"I will. You are a wonderful man; you clear away all the rubbish that clogs my being. Speak further; what do you bring?"
"I bring nothing but myself, Countess; I have put away from me all the ties of this world; I say this to you, to none but you. This very day I depart for the New World. Yes, there is a new world yonder!"
Sonnenkamp suddenly rose, and seized her hand.