"Now," he cried, "I need the dead talisman no longer, I see my living rose blooming before me!"
He stood up, gently laid his arm around her shoulder and pressed a kiss upon her brow.
A slight shudder passed through her, her eyes sparkled with anger and contempt, a brilliant red glowed on her cheeks.
With a hasty movement she tore herself free.
"Baron," she cried, "I must beg--you surprise me!"
She stammered; her lips trembled, she could not find words to express what she thought and felt, she could not say what she wished to say.
After a moment's silence she turned to leave the room.
The young officer stood as if struck by lightning, her strange words, the expression on her face, told him that something must have taken place to cause a breach between him and his love, but it was impossible for him to form any clear idea as to what it could be, and he looked at her in blank amazement. But when she turned to leave him and had actually reached the door, he stretched out both his arms towards her, and cried in a voice so full of love and regret, of grief and inquiry, that it could only proceed from the deepest and truest feeling, "Clara!"
She started at this voice, which found an echo in her heart, she stood still, her strength left her, she tottered.
He was beside her in a moment, he supported her, and led her to an easy-chair, in which he gently placed her.