"The woman who loves will not betray a secret."
For an instant Ludwig did not reply; then he said:
"And if it were true that some one loves me as you fancy, could I ask her to bury herself here—here where there is no intercourse with the outside world? No, no, Marie; we cannot expect any one else to become an occupant of this tomb—the gates of which will not open until the trump of deliverance sounds."
"And will it be long before that trump sounds, Ludwig?"
"I believe—nay, I know it must come very soon. The signs of the times are not deceptive. Our resurrection may be nearer than we imagine; and until then, Marie, let us endure with patience."
Marie pressed her guardian's hand, and drew a long sigh.
"Yes; we will endure—and wait," she repeated. "And now, give me back my letter."
"Why do you want it, Marie?"
"I shall keep it, and sometime send it to the proper address—when the angel of deliverance sounds his trump."
"May God hasten his coming!" fervently appended the count.