d the tent. The battle-axe that Hermanric had secured
during the scene of the past evening, still lay on the ground, in a
corner. The sight of it brought back a flood of terrible recollections
to her mind. She started violently; a sudden change overspread her
features, and when she again addressed Hermanric, it was with quivering
lips and in almost inarticulate words.

'I know now why you look on me so gloomily,' said she; 'that woman is
coming back! I was so occupied by my dreams and my thoughts of my
father and of you, and my hopes for days to come, that I had forgotten
her when I awoke! But I remember all now! She is coming back--I see
it in your sorrowful eyes--she is coming back to murder me! I shall
die at the moment when I had such hope in my life! There is no
happiness for me! None!--none!'

The Goth's countenance began to darken. He whispered to himself
several times, 'How can I save her?' For a few minutes there was a
deep silence, broken only by the sobs of Antonina. He looked round at
her after an interval. She held her hands clasped over her eyes. The
tears were streaming through her parted fingers; her bosom heaved as if
her emotions would burst their way through it in some palpable form;
and her limbs trembled so, that she could scarcely support herself.
Unconsciously, as he looked on her, he passed his arm round her slender
form, drew her hands gently from her face, and said to her, though his
heart belied his words as he spoke, 'Do not be afraid--trust in me!'

'How can I be calm?' she cried, looking up at him entreatingly; 'I was
so happy last night, so sure that you could preserve me, so hopeful
about to-morrow--and now I see by your mournful looks, I know by your
doubting voice, that to soothe my anguish you have promised me more
than you can perform! The woman who is your companion, has a power
over us both, that it is terrible even to think of! She will return,
she will withdraw all mercy from your heart, she will glare upon me
with her fearful eyes, she will kill me at your feet! I shall die
after all I have suffered and all I have hoped! Oh, Hermanric, while
there is yet time let us escape! You were not made to shed blood--you
are too merciful! God never made you to destroy! You cannot yearn
towards cruelty and woe, for you have aided and protected me! Let us
escape! I will follow you wherever you wish! I will do whatever you
ask! I will go with you beyond those far, br