“‘I remember that he has deceived me. He should have told me who he was.’
“‘He says that you love him.’
“‘I have done so. I cannot love one who has deceived me.’
“‘How has he deceived you?’
“‘You would not understand, mamma.’
“She did not wish to speak to her mother of the kingdom of her dreams, which her beloved should have helped her to realize.
“‘Ebba,’ said the countess, ‘if you love him you shall not ask what he has been, but marry him. The husband of a Countess Dohna will be rich enough, powerful enough, to excuse all the follies of his youth.’
“‘I care nothing for his youthful follies, mamma; it is because he can never be what I want him to be that I cannot marry him.’
“‘Ebba, remember that I have given him my promise!’
“The girl became as pale as death.