Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 274: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

we . A DASH FOR A THRONE. 267 The first sentence was spoken with hesitation, the second quickly and with a touch of indignation ; and directly afterwards her pulse quickened, and she said volubly: “ Cousin Hans, I[ can tell you what I dared not tell my father—I am afraid of the count. You have asked me what I wish. I have two wishes—to be released from this marriage, and to stop all th hateful intrigue for the throne. I am not fit for it. I do not wish it. I am only afraid and harassed and distracted. Oh, I long with a regret I cannot put in words for the days of quiet and peace, when none of this was ever thought of. Then I had not a care or grief; and now life is all fear and sorrow. I am the most miserable girl on earth.” She lifted her hands and let them fall again on her lap with a gesture elo- quent of despair, and now that her momentary excitement had passed, her voice grew heavy with the accents of sorrow. I was silent, not quite knowing how to meet such an outburst of grief and confidence. More than that, however, I had heard with a rush of joy which I dared not let her see, the outcry against the marriage. At that moment the feeling seemed to-me like a guilty one; but I vowed to myself that if it cost me every drop of blood in my body, I would save her from it. But I sat now, grave, silent and thoughtful, while the little pathetic glances of appeal for help which she cast. at me shot right into my heart, and thritled me till I could scarcely hold myself under restraint. When I did not reply—and I did not because I dared not trust myself—she sighed deeply, and said in a tone even more despairing than before: “I suppose your silence means that you also are against me. Oh, this ambition, what a curse it is! What has it not cost us? But for it my brother would be alive today. My dear father was just as surely another of its vic- tims. I am forced to sacrifice all I care for and to wed a man whom I fear. “ And now you, fresh from a life of books, on whom I built so much, are caught by the same madness ; the fever burns in your blood, and you join this mad hue and cry afte- ruin. Ambition—ah, my father often rated me for my lack of it; but what has it brought to us but death, and what does it promise but misery? Cousin Hans, I beseech you with all my heart and soul do not join with those against me. Try to see this with my eyes; and do not urge me. I know you will think me weak and a child, a feeble, helpiess coward ; but I cannot goon. You are now my only hope. Cousin, do say you will not side against me!” As she spoke, her hands clasped my arm as if clinging to me for help, and She gazed into my face with such yearning appeal that had I been a stone, or the stern, self contained man I had to try to appear, I must have been moved. And I was no stone where she was concerned. “ God forbid that I should force you,” I said, my voice scarcely steady, de- spite my efforts to control it. ‘‘ Do not doubt that I am with you in whatever you decide.” “Oh, thank God, thank God! How I haye hoped it! Now, I have a friend indeed.” GOH GoOOO (GO) i