“Do you also wish me to stay? Only command me and I will joyfully obey, even if I should become more unhappy.”
“More unhappy?” she replied, with an anxious look; “Are you then unhappy with us!”
“You do not know that! You only wish to diffuse happiness around you; but, Clementine, you accustomed me to a heaven too soon. If sooner or later I should have to lose all, to lose your society (and such a time might arrive, Clementine), how would it then be with me?” I asked, while I pressed her hand against my throbbing heart.
“If you never separate yourself from us we shall not lose you,” she replied.
“Would to heaven I might not leave you but in death,” I exclaimed.
She looked towards heaven, sighed, and leaning forward, a burning tear rolled on my hand.
“Do you doubt the constancy of my friendship,” she said.
“Have I a right to your friendship, Clementine, and this noble heart? Alas! will it not some day beat more warmly for another? and then, Clementine, then——”
“Never! Alamontade,” she said, rising quickly, and turning away her face, which was suffused with a gentle glow. I rose with ineffable rapture, clasped her in my arms, her bosom heaving with strong emotion, her cheeks glowing, and her looks expressing the words which her lips refused to utter.
Our souls were united, and made the everlasting compact. A trembling sigh was our vow, the world vanished like a shadow, and in a kiss we exchanged life for life.