Sturmfeder,--you have never loved me. A
man must not allow himself to be blown about like a reed; he ought to
stand firm to his opinion; and if he loves, he must have faith also."

"I have not merited such a reproach, from you at least," said the young
man, starting up in great excitement; "I have been, indeed, as you say,
a reed shaken about in the wind, and many a man will despise me----"

"That may be!" she whispered to herself, but not so lightly as to
escape his ear, and cause his displeasure to blaze up into rage.

"Can you upbraid me thus," said he, "you, who are the sole cause of my
vaccilating conduct? Did I not seek you among the friends of the
League; and when I found you, was I not overjoyed? You entreated me to
quit their colours,--I did so; and still more, I came over to your
party, and, though it nearly cost me my life, I held firm to my
determination. I visited your father, who received me as a son; and
rejoiced that I had bound myself to the Duke's cause. But his daughter
compares me to a reed moved by every blast of wind! but once more I
will----for the last time, allow myself to be moved by you; I'll leave
you, as you requite my love thus; in an hour hence, I wish you
farewell." With these last words he girded on his sword; and, taking
his cap, turned to depart.

"Albert," cried Bertha, with the sweetest accent, at the same time
springing up and seizing his hand; her pride, her displeasure, every
trace of ill-will vanished in a moment, and entreating love only beamed
from her eyes, "for God's sake, Albert! I did not mean to speak so
angrily; remain, I will forget every thing; I am ashamed of myself for
having betrayed so unkind a spirit."

But the anger of the young man was not to be appeased in a moment. He
turned away, lest her looks should master his resolution of leaving the
castle. "No!" he cried, "you shall not turn the reed back again; but
you may tell your father the cause which has driven his guest from his
house." The windows trembled with the sound of his voice; he looked
about him with wildness; he tore his hand away from Bertha's grasp;
and, followed by her, he hastily opened the door to fly from her
presence, when an apparition arrested his attention on the threshold
which we shall describe in the next chapter.

CHAPTER XXII.

Prince's favour, April's sky,
Woman's love, the rose's dye,
Cards, dice, and weather