He could
not link my destiny to his, for misery had ever been his lot; and
now that this last and most terrible misfortune had overtaken him,
he was more than ever convinced that there was a curse hanging
over him! He would not suffer me to bring misery upon myself, and
eternal remorse upon him. But the more he repulsed me, the more
obstinately I clung to him. The more forcibly he showed the
horror of the sacrifice, the more I was convinced that my honor
compelled me to make it. So at last he yielded, or seemed to
yield, with transports of gratitude and love. 'Well! yes, I
accept your sacrifice, my darling!' he exclaimed. 'I accept it;
and before the God who is looking down upon us, I swear that I
will do all that is in human power to repay such sublime and
marvellous devotion.' And, bending over me, he printed a kiss upon
my forehead. 'But we must fly!' he resumed, quickly. 'I have my
happiness to defend now! I will not suffer any one to discover us
and separate us now. We must start at once, without losing a
moment, and gain my native land, America. There, we shall be
safe. For rest assured they will search for us. Who knows but
even now the officers of the law are upon our track? Your family
is all-powerful--I am a mere nobody--we should be crushed if they
discover us. They would bury you in a gloomy cloister, and I
should be tried as a common thief, or as a vile assassin.
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