“Dangerous in the extreme, my lovely one.”
“Were they intercepted and opened, would you be liable to death?” said she, in a low, trembling voice.
He saw in these words only her solicitude and love for him.
“Certainly, I would be lost—I would have to die were these letters opened. But fear not, my beauteous Marietta—they will not be opened; no one would dream of intercepting the harmless letters you direct to your friends at Magdeburg. Apart from that, no one is aware of our close connection. We have carefully guarded the holy secret of our love; when your husband returns from Italy, this bad world will have no evil rumors to tell of us, and you will be enclosed in his arms as his faithful wife. When does he come?”
“I expect him in three weeks.”
“Many glorious, quiet evenings will we enjoy together before his return. And now, farewell—I must leave you.”
“You must leave me?”
“I must, Marietta.”
“And where are you going?” said she, looking at him earnestly.
“Jealous again,” said he, laughing. “Calm yourself, Marietta, I go to no woman. Besides this, have you not my oath?”