"Oh," she exclaimed, with a motion of her beautiful head, "I fear that is impossible!"
"Who can say that?" I replied. "I want only your permission, and I will undertake to seize the Plague at once."
"Do as your judgment dictates. I consent to everything beforehand."
I took a long and reluctant leave of Odile, and hurried jubilantly to Sperver's room.
CHAPTER XII.
WE CHASE THE PLAGUE.—HER DEATH.
An hour after my conversation with Odile, Sperver and I were galloping hard over the plain from Nideck. The huntsman, bending over his horse's neck, set spurs to her from time to time, and the tall Mecklenberg, with flying mane and foaming lips, literally cleaved the air in her flight. As for my mount, I believe he took the bit in his teeth, and ran away with me. Lieverlé accompanied us, bounding along beside us like an arrow. We seemed to be borne along on the wings of the wind.
The towers of Nideck were far behind us, and Sperver was leading the way, as usual, when I shouted to him:
"Hallo, comrade! Pull up! Before we go any further, let us deliberate a little."