When Blanden became better, he spoke to his nurse of their marriage. Giulia covered him with kisses, but she shuddered inwardly, both with joy and fear. Ever nearer drew the fatal moment which she awaited with equally ardent longing and nameless terror.
More agitated than ever, she returned home. Beate was all the more cheerful, and hummed an Italian popular air.
"I envy you your good humour, but it appears to me to be almost like mockery of me and my urgent need."
"When there is a wedding in prospect, one cannot be sad."
"A wedding, oh my God! Happiness which all the world would envy me, envy me with reason, which I would not reject, even if my soul's salvation were at stake--and side by side with the most supreme delight, stand the feelings of a criminal who is led to execution!"
"Vedremo--there may still be a means of escape."
"A means of escape--does not danger ever hover over my head, mortal danger?"
"Perhaps there are means of disarming it."
"Oh, speak! You are clever and cunning, Beate. I hunger for a word of hope, of comfort, for relief in my unbounded fear."
"It would be a risk--"