Marie, who met the scorn and threats of her mother with firmness and a proud demeanor, trembled as she heard these severe and merciless lips, always so cold and harsh, now begging and imploring. At first she was quite frightened, and then terrified, and covered her face with her hands, her head sinking upon her breast as her mother spoke.
“Speak, my daughter,” cried the general, as his wife was silent. “Speak, my dear Marie. Say the word, and we shall be all happy, and there will be no happier family found in Berlin, or the world even. Say that you will marry Ebenstreit, and we will love and bless you so long as we live. Do say yes, dear Marie!”
Her hands fell from her face, and stretching them out toward her parents, she looked at them in despair.
There was a fearful pause. “I cannot, it is impossible!” she shrieked. “I cannot marry this man, for I do not love him. I love another, whom I can never forget, whom I shall love forever. I love—”
“Herr Conrector Moritz!” announced Trude, hastily bursting open the door, and looking in with a triumphant smile.
CHAPTER XV. HATE AND LOVE
“Herr Conrector Moritz wishes to pay his respects,” called out Trude again.
“We do not wish to receive him,” cried Frau von Werrig.
“He dare not presume to enter!” shrieked the general.