It is a
simple story."
Hildegarde did not move, nor had she moved since the revelation.
Carmichael, a secret joy in his heart, watched the girl for the
slightest swaying, that inevitable prelude to fainting. But Hildegarde
was not the kind of woman who faints in the face of a catastrophe,
however great it might be. The only sign of life lay in her beautiful
eyes, the gaze of which remained unswervingly fixed upon the
chancellor's ashen countenance.
"Hildegarde," said the duke, "you shall become my daughter, and you
shall dwell here till the end of your days. I will try to right the
wrong that has been done to you."
"No, your Highness," she replied. "There is but one place for me, and
that is at my father's side." And resolutely she walked to the
chancellor's left and her hand stole down and met his firmly. "My
father, I forgive you," she said, with quiet dignity.
"They are all wrong, Frederick," whispered Prince Ludwig. "She is as
much a princess as the other."
"You forgive me?" The chancellor could not believe his ears.
"Yes, father."
Then, recalling all the child-hunger in his arms and heart, he swept her
to his breast convulsively; and the unloosed tears dropped upon her
bright head.
"And who am I?" said Gretchen.
Pages:
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288