“And why have you done so hitherto?” said Fleurange. “Ah! yes, I understand”—and a slight blush mounted to her forehead—“the secret I thought so well hidden has been discovered by you all!”
“No, no,” cried Hilda, “only by me—and you know I can conceal nothing from Karl—by me and Clement.”
“Clement also?” said Fleurange, with a start of surprise and a confusion which deepened her blush. “But, after all, what difference does it make?” she continued. “I shall conceal nothing more from any one, and I wish nothing to be kept from me either. Come, Karl, I assure you earnestly I do not lack fortitude, and hereafter you must not try to spare me. Surprise alone overpowered me for an instant. Now I am prepared for the worst, and ready to hear what you have to tell.”
But in spite of these words, when Hansfelt at last decided, after some further hesitation, to satisfy her, [pg 166] while he was giving her a circumstantial account of all Count George had done to forfeit his life, the color produced by the keen air, her walking so fast, and her agitation, vanished completely from the young girl's face, and she became as pale as death.
“Siberia or death!” she repeated two or three times in a low tone, as if it were as difficult to understand as to utter such terrible words.
“As to the worst of these two sentences, it is to be hoped he will escape,” said Hansfelt.
Fleurange shuddered. Was it really of him—him!—they were talking in this way? “But tell me, Karl, is there no other alternative? May he not be condemned to prison or expatriation? They are also great and fearful punishments. Why speak only of two sentences, one almost as horrible as the other?”
Hansfelt shook his head. “His name, his rank, the benefits the government had conferred on his family, the favors so many times offered him, will all aggravate his crime in the eyes of his judges. His life, I trust, will be spared, but—”
“But—the mines, fetters, and fearful rigors of Siberia—do you think he will be condemned to suffer all these penalties without any alleviation?”
Hansfelt was silent. Hilda pressed Fleurange's hands and tenderly kissed her colorless cheeks.