"
"The woman who loves will not betray a secret."
For an instant Ludwig did not reply; then he said:
"And if it were true that some one loves me as you fancy, could I ask
her to bury herself here--here where there is no intercourse with the
outside world? No, no, Marie; we cannot expect any one else to become an
occupant of this tomb--the gates of which will not open until the trump
of deliverance sounds."
"And will it be long before that trump sounds, Ludwig?"
"I believe--nay, I know it must come very soon. The signs of the times
are not deceptive. Our resurrection may be nearer than we imagine; and
until then, Marie, let us endure with patience."
Marie pressed her guardian's hand, and drew a long sigh.
"Yes; we will endure--and wait," she repeated. "And now, give me back my
letter."
"Why do you want it, Marie?"
"I shall keep it, and sometime send it to the proper address--when the
angel of deliverance sounds his trump."
"May God hasten his coming!" fervently appended the count.
But he did not give her the letter.
* * * * *
Count Vavel now rarely ventured beyond the gate of the Nameless Castle.
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