I did not tell him, but I was
happy. The birth of our child will be legitimatized and I should die
afterward."
"Do not speak thus!"
"Oh! this time I do not deceive you--you will see."
"And no vestige remains of that implacable ambition which has ruined you!
Why has fate willed that your repentance should be so late?"
"It is late, but profound--sincere; I swear it to you. At this solemn
moment, if I thank heaven to take me from the world, it is because my life
has been to you a horrible burden."
"Sarah, in mercy--"
"Rudolph, a last prayer--your hand."
The prince, turning away his eyes, gave his hand to the countess, who
placed it between her own.
"Oh! your hands are icy cold," cried Rudolph with affright.
"Yes, I am dying. Perhaps for a last punishment, heaven does not will that
I should embrace my child."
"Oh! yes, yes, it will be moved by your remorse."
"And you, my friend, are you touched? do you pardon me? Oh! in mercy, say
it. Directly, when our child shall be here--if she comes in time--you
cannot pardon me before her; that would be to teach her how guilty I have
been, and that you would not like. When I am once dead, what matters it to
you if she love me?"
"Be comforted; she shall know nothing."
"Rudolph, pardon! oh! pardon! Will you be without pity! Am I not
sufficiently unhappy?"
"Well, may heaven pardon the evil you have done to your child, as I pardon
what you have done to me, unhappy woman.
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