For thee my heart yearns and craves ever more,
Like a fugitive bird that has clang to a mast,
When lost to its sight is the far away shore."
Such ardent longing for liberty, for release, was shown in her recital of these lines, in the tone of her voice, it was like the cry of distress of a whole life, and at the same time the expression of utter devotion.
Blanden could not help it, he folded the beautiful woman to his heart, and pressed a glowing kiss upon her lips.
At that moment some one knocked, and simultaneously the door was thrown open.
Lieutenant Buschmann entered; disappointment and rage held him spell-bound, so that he stood as if rooted to the ground; his bold attack, upon which he had staked his last hope, had been shamefully frustrated, but at least he possessed the proof that Giulia favoured another, that her reserve was a lie.
His cheeks, always red, burned like fire, and he stamped his jingling spurs upon the floor.
Everything had commenced so hopefully. Antonie had gone to the ball with Friederich, and had entrusted the house and door key to the latter's care. Under some pretence the officer's cunning servant had left the ball for a short time, proceeded to his master's dwelling close by, and delivered up the key of the fortress to that master.
The game so far had succeeded, Friederich was once more dancing merrily with his unsuspicious partner.