much moved, and said with a
glance at Telimena:--

"How much beauty is there even in this simple scene, when the soul of the
shepherdess and the soul of the warrior, like a boat and a ship during a
storm at sea, must at last be parted! In very truth nothing so kindles the
feelings in the heart as when heart separates from heart. Time is like a
blast of wind; it extinguishes only the little candle; a great flame it
fans to an even mightier conflagration. And my heart also is capable of
loving even more mightily at a distance. Pan Soplica, I regarded you as my
rival; that mistake was one of the causes of our lamentable quarrel, which
forced me to draw the sword against your household. I perceive my mistake,
for you sighed to the little shepherdess, while I had given my heart to
this fair nymph. Let our differences be drowned in the blood of our
country's enemies; we will no longer fight each other with the murderous
steel! Let our amorous strife be settled otherwise; let us contend which
shall surpass the other in the feeling of love! Let us both leave behind
the dear objects of our hearts, let us both hasten against swords and
spears; let us contend with each other in constancy, sorrow, and
suffering, and pursue our country's enemies with our manly arms!"

He spoke and glanced at Telimena, but she made no reply, being overcome
with amazement.

"My dear Count," interrupted the Judge, "why do you insist on departing?
Believe me, you had best remain in security on your estate. The poor
gentry may be skinned and scourged by the government, but you, Count, are
sure of being left whole. You know what sort of government you have to
deal with; you are fairly wealthy, and may ransom yourself from prison at
the cost of only half your income for one year."

"That is not in concord with my character," said the Count. "Since I
cannot be a lover, I will be a hero. Amid the cares of love I will call on
glory as my comfortress; since I am a beggar of heart, I will be mighty of
hand."

"Who hinders you from loving and being happy?" inquired Telimena.

"The power of my destiny," said the Count, "mysterious forebodings that
with a secret impulse urge me to foreign lands and to unwonted deeds. I
confess that to-day I wished in honour of Telimena to light the flame on
the altars of Hymen, but this youth has given me too fair an example by
tearing off his marriage wreath of his own free will and rushing to test
his heart amid the hindr