He caught her in his arms. “It seems to me that I loved you the instant I saw you. And I shall not give you up. We will go away to my country—to our country.”
“Yes—yes,” she said. “You have opened a gate I’ve often looked at, and I see beyond it the paradise I’ve dreamed of. And I must follow you. I care only for you. I”—she had a very wonderful expression in her eyes—“I love you!”
“I shall see the Grand Duke to-morrow morning. I shall tell him. He will—”
“You must try to understand, dear. He will never consent. Can’t you see how he would look at it? And under the law he has absolute control of me for five years yet—until I am twenty-five.”
“But he will release you when he knows that you do not love his son, that you are determined to marry me.”
“No; there is but one way. We must go across the Swiss border; there I shall be free.”
“Then the sooner the better. Let us go to-night.”
“Yes, to-night. What is that—listen! No—this way—come!”
“It is useless,” called a man’s voice from the direction in which they started, and immediately a young officer appeared.
“Prince von Moltzahn!” exclaimed Erica. She drew herself up haughtily. “You are insolent, sir!”