“Thank Heaven for that!”
A ray of moonlight, guided by a moving branch, stole along the organ screen and for a moment lighted up her face.
“And you have come, my Princess.” He spoke in a rapturous whisper, for the intoxication of her beauty, the splendid graciousness of her presence bereft him of voice. How could he address her as he would have spoken to Countess Minna?
There was a suggestion of sad playfulness in her tone as she replied. “Was it not fitting that I should return the service you rendered me, and free you? But, indeed, I came to say good-bye!”
Her face was now in the dim shadow again and somehow he felt glad of it. There are joys so great that they suddenly turn to torture.
“Must it be?” he said pleadingly.
“You know it must be,” she answered in the same repressed tone.
“You are going,” he said, “to marry Prince Ludwig against your will.”
“Whether that be or not it can make no difference to us,” she replied still coldly. Ah, if he might only hear her speak again with the warmth of last night.
“I cannot leave you, my Princess, even at your bidding.”