"Reflect"--his voice trembled in anguished entreaty--"this concerns the happiness of my whole life and yours also! You can save us both by one only decision. Can you not rend the tie which binds you to this Alison?"
Here with a violent noise the door was burst open, and Frederic's powerful voice was heard.
"Herr Lieutenant, the major begs you to come to him this instant!"
Walter turned around. "What is it!" he asked bewildered. "Where am I to go?"
"To the Herr Major; all the officers are gathered there."
"Very well, I will come."
The door closed again, and Frederic's heavy receding step was heard. Yet once more Walter turned back to Jane; his face was pale as death, but a wild unrest glowed in his eyes.
"You hear; I must go! We are in the midst of war, the next hour, the next moment may rend us asunder. Johanna, I ask you for the last time, can you, will you not be mine?"
"Never, Walter! Even though Alison set me free, and every other barrier fell--never!"
"Then farewell!" he sobbed despairingly, and stretched out his arms, as if he would clasp her to his breast; but with a trembling movement Jane recoiled from him, and raised her hand with a repelling gesture. For a moment he stood as if petrified before her; then he bowed low and distantly.