“Yes, I love you,” cried he; “let your father keep his treasures.  You, and only you, do I desire.”

She sprang up startled from his arms.  In the overpowering happiness of the hour she had entirely forgotten the danger which threatened her lover.  She suddenly remembered, and her cheek paled.

“My father!” cried she, “if he should come at this moment!  His look alone would be enough to kill me.”  And anxiously and tremblingly she clung to Feodor.

“Fear not, dear one,” he whispered, “he is not coming.  God protects and watches over those who love each other.  Do not think of danger.  Banish all care, all fear.  This hour belongs to us, and as I now fold you in my arms with delight, so let it be always and forever.  For you know, precious child, that you are mine, that you can never belong to another; that you have pledged yourself, and at some future time must follow me as your husband.”

“I know it, I know it,” she murmured; and, in blissful self-forgetfulness, she leaned her head on his shoulder, and listened with beating heart to the burning, passionate words which he poured into her ear.

Of a sudden, with the rapidity of lightning, she sprang up, as if an electric shock had pervaded her body, and listened eagerly.

As Feodor was about to speak, to inquire the cause of her sudden terror, she quickly pressed her hand to his mouth.  “Silence,” whispered she softly.  “I heard it distinctly.  My father is coming hither through the garden!”

They both listened in silence.  In the quiet of the night Gotzkowsky’s voice was now heard.  He ordered his servants to shut the garden gates carefully, and watch them well, as the Russians entering the town would pass by this wall.

“You are right,” said Feodor; “it is your father.  Truly this is an unlucky accident.”

“He will kill me if he finds you here,” murmured Elise, clinging, half fainting, to her lover’s arm.

“I will protect you with my life,” said he, pressing her more firmly to him.

“No, no!” cried she breathlessly; “he must not find you here.  No one must see you.  Oh, Feodor, listen to me.  He is not alone; Bertram and his servants are with him.  Oh, my God, they will kill you!  Save yourself; leave me, Feodor, and conceal yourself!” And drawing him with irresistible strength to the door, she whispered, “In there, in my bedroom conceal yourself.”

“Never,” said he firmly and decidedly.  “Never will I hide myself, or sneak away like a coward!”

“You must do it,” entreated she; and as she saw that he hesitated and drew back unwillingly, she continued:  “Not for your sake—­for the sake of my honor, Feodor.  Remember it is night, and I am alone with you.”

“Yes, you are right,” said Feodor sadly.  “Hide me; no spot must tarnish your honor.”

With convulsive haste, Elise drew him to the door of her chamber.  Gotzkowsky’s voice was heard just outside the window.