"You are right, sir. God never acts without consummate wisdom. Do whatever you think right. I give my approval in advance."
I raised to my lips the hand which she tremblingly placed in mine, and went out full of admiration for this frail and feeble woman, who was, nevertheless, so strong in the time of trial. Is anything grander than duty nobly accomplished?
CHAPTER XII.
An hour after the conversation with Odile, Sperver and I were riding hard, and leaving Nideck rapidly behind us.
The huntsman, bending forward over his horse's neck, encouraged him with voice and action.
He rode so fast that his tall Mecklemburger, her mane flying, tail outstretched, and legs extended wide, seemed almost motionless, so swiftly did she cleave the air. As for my little Ardenne pony, I think he was running right away with his rider. Lieverlé accompanied us, flying alongside of us like an arrow from the bow. A whirlwind seemed to sweep us in our headlong way.
The towers of Nideck were far away, and Sperver was keeping ahead as usual when I shouted—
"Halloo, comrade, pull up! Halt! Before we go any farther let us know what we are about."
He faced round.