The young girl silently nodded her head in the affirmative.
"Your marriage sunders all such connections, and frees you from your brother's control--then free yourself from his influence, at any price! Let him no longer have any power over your future life, for it is unwholesome and brings destruction. What I only suspected formerly, I now know for a certainty. The Baron's path leads to an abyss--who can say where it will end?"
Cecilia shuddered at these last words. She thought of Oscar's dark threat, when she refused to stay at Odensburg, and the image of her dead father loomed up before her.
"No farther, Herr Runeck," said she, forcibly recovering her self-control. "You are talking of my brother!
"Yes, of your brother," repeated he, with marked emphasis. "And you have nothing to say in refutation of my charge. You know then----"
"I know nothing, will know nothing--Oh! my God, have pity on me!"
She clasped both hands before her face, and tottered, as though she would fall. The same instant Egbert was already at her side, supporting her; just as that time on the Whitestone, the beautiful, fair head, with closed eyes, lay upon his shoulder.
"Cecilia!"
It was only a single word, but it escaped Egbert's lips in the fervent tone of passion, and at its sound, the large dark eyes opened and met his. For a second their looks mingled--rather an eternity. With loud, clear strokes, the clock told the midday hour. Egbert let his arm drop and drew himself up erect.
"Make Eric happy!" said he, with difficulty, in a hollow tone: "Farewell, Cecilia!"