“Rather die than be my wife?” he asked mockingly, as he approached nearer.  “A pleasant answer, surely, for me to listen to!  This is, then, the modest, prudish Sister whom I must not presume to touch!  She refuses me, an honest man who loves her, and declines to follow the rules of her faith, only to throw herself into the arms of a strange interloper!  Do you think we will have a Sister among us who bids defiance to all the meek love and submission, the decorum and modesty which is necessary for a member of our community?  I, as superintendent of the Sisters, will now suggest to the Sister in charge that Carmen Mauer be expelled from our communion.”

Carmen seemed not to hear these severe words.  She breathed heavily, but answered not a word, only pressed her hands against her throbbing heart and raised her pale face to him calmly and indifferently, not seeming to care for his condemnation and threats.

“Fraulein Carmen,” said Alexander, as Jonathan ceased speaking.  His voice chased all fear from her heart, and she turned her gaze, full of trust and confidence, on him again.

“Fraulein Carmen,” he continued, “you once told me that only your father’s or your husband’s arm should enfold you.  When my arm supported you just now, you suffered it to do so; was it because you trusted my honor and love sufficiently to give me the right to protect you through all time as your husband?”

She gave him a quick glance of glad surprise.

“Yes,” she replied with a firm voice, offering him her hand.  He pressed it with passionate warmth.

“Mein Herr,” he said coldly, turning to Jonathan, “will you have the kindness, as superintendent of the Sisters, to inform them that Fraulein Carmen Mauer and her betrothed husband, Captain von Trautenau, have gone to her father’s apartments; that this lady, on account of her betrothal to me, declines the destiny chosen for her by lot; and will, moreover, be obliged to leave the community and follow her husband?  This may perhaps prevent any unpleasant misunderstanding.”  He bowed stiffly to the astounded Jonathan, drew Carmen’s hand through his arm, and turned away.

Carmen had listened to his words in such a confused state of mind that she was powerless to resist even had she wished to.  What he had said almost took away her breath; but as the strength of his arm, so that of his will, held her captive, and she would have followed him blindly to the end of the world.  But now, when she was about to return to her father, she was torn with anguish for the poor sufferer who tarried alone in his room.  He must be cared for at once; so, pausing a moment, she turned towards Jonathan.  The threat he had hurled at her showed the point where she might gain the victory over him, and render him powerless to harm her father.