'My God! I know not unless—' 'Unless what?'
'That I have the misfortune to be one of those, who, if noticed by princesses, are seldom happy enough to be long remembered by them.'
'Ah! why did you come near me again—and with these reproaches, too?'
'We cannot at all times control our hearts; and though mine is all but broken, I cannot remain separate from her who wrought me all this suffering and calamity.'
'Do you forgive me?' she sobbed.
'Forgive you—Oh, Marie Louise!'
'Alas, Arthur—you must—you would, indeed, if you knew all I have undergone.'
To resist the impulse that inspired us both to indulge in one mute embrace, was impossible; but how terribly was it interrupted!
At that moment there was a piercing cry from the rocks below. I sprang upon the parapet, and saw the little Duke d'Alsace struggling wildly with the waters of the lake into which he had fallen from a point of rock, when stooping over it, to land that fatal toy, his ship. The soldier who had accompanied him was hallooing vehemently for assistance, and a loud uproar of voices shook the whole castle. The Duke was fully three hundred yards from me, and I stood gazing at him, overwhelmed by many terrible emotions.
If that child was drowned, Marie Louise would be FREE; but if I permitted him to perish without a struggle, then would I be guilty of a wicked murder, and a dereliction of duty. Without longer hesitation I flung my sword, belt, and pourpoint upon the terrace, and springing over the rampart, to which Marie Louise was clinging, and looking paler than white marble, I plunged headlong into the lake, and on rising to the surface, struck out boldly for the drowning boy, who had now risen, and sunk thrice.