"
"Does, then, your happiness require so much?"
"It does--much more than I have mentioned, infinitely more. But one
boon can make me happy; I have begged for it on my knees." He
caught her hand and pressed it eagerly to his lips. "I have begged
for it, Rosabella, and my suit has been rejected."
"You are a strange enthusiast," she said with difficulty, and
scarcely knew what she said, while Flodoardo drew her gently nearer
to him, and murmured in a supplicating voice, "Rosabella!"
"What would you of me?"
"My happiness!"
She gazed upon him for a moment undecided, then hastily drew away
her hand, and exclaimed, "Leave me, this moment, I command you.
Leave me, for Heaven's sake!"
Flodoardo clasped his hands together in despair and anguish. He
bowed his head in token of obedience. He left her with slow steps
and a melancholy air, and as he passed the threshold, turned to bid
her farewell for ever. Suddenly she rushed towards him, caught his
hand, and pressed it to her heart.
"Flodoardo," she cried, "I am thine!" and sank motionless at his
feet.
CHAPTER II: A DANGEROUS PROMISE.
And now who was so blessed as the fortunate Flodoardo? The victory
was his own, he had heard the wished-for sentence pronounced by the
lips of Rosabella. He raised her from the ground, and placed her on
a sofa. Her blue eyes soon unclosed themselves once more, and the
first object which they beheld was Flodoardo kneeling at her feet,
while with one arm he encircled her waist.
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