eproach had passed Elise's lips. But Bertram
understood that Gotzkowsky's cruel and relentless sacrifice of her
lover had forever estranged the heart of his daughter from him; that
this hard though just deed had torn asunder the last link which bound
her to him.

Elise could have learned just as well as Bertram had that Feodor had
been accidentally saved. Her lover himself could have sent her this
information, and she, who in the bitterness of her grief had torn
herself loose from her father, might not have had the strength to
withstand his ardent prayers. Perhaps in her sense of bereavement,
trusting to her love, she might have found the sad courage to brave
not only her father, but the judgment and scorn of the world, in order
to be united to her lover.

Such thoughts as these arrested Bertram's steps, and compelled him
to reflection. Only one thing was positive--he must save her at every
hazard, even against her will, even if he should reap, as the sole
reward of his devoted love, her aversion; he must save her from
her own passionate, foolish heart, or from the wild lust of the
unprincipled man to whom she trusted her innocence, her youth, and
beauty.

But this duty he had to perform alone; he dared not trust any one with
his secret, for fear of thereby defeating the object he had in view,
and, instead of saving, bringing disgrace upon her. His resolve was
formed. He must seek her out. He must penetrate to where she was, even
if hid behind a wall of Russian soldiers. Faithful and unselfish as
ever, she should find him at her side, ready to protect her against
every attack, every danger, even from her own inexperience or the
reckless passion of her lover. Especially above all things, her
abduction must remain a secret. To her maidens, therefore, Bertram
said, that their young mistress had withdrawn into her room, and
shut herself in, in order, after so many sleepless nights, to enjoy a
little rest. The same information he left behind for Gotzkowsky, and,
providing himself with weapons, he betook himself to the search for
Elise. In the first place, he naturally directed his steps to the
dwelling of Colonel von Brenda. Here he learned that the latter was
not at home, but had gone to an entertainment at the mess-room of
his regiment. Thither he hastened, firmly resolved to overcome all
obstacles, and in spite of every refusal to see the colonel, and
read in his countenance whether he were an accomplice of the crime