Let us retain the right to shed innocent
tears over our unhappy love, and lay it as a sacrifice at the foot
of God's throne in that day when the world shall separate and
despise us."
"No one shall dare to do that, Laura; you are my future wife; I
shall be ever near to defend you with my life's blood! But I promise
what you ask; I will restrain my heart; only in dreams will I
embrace you; I swear this, my beloved. But the day will come when
you will cancel this vow--the day when I will claim you before God
and man as my wife!"
Laura took his hand with a sweet, confiding smile: "I thank you,
darling, I thank you, but now we must part."
"Part! alas, we shall not meet again for weeks. I am commanded to
accompany the king on a pleasure trip; for me there is but one
earthly pleasure, to see you--to be at your side."
"Go," she said, smiling; "go without fear; we can never forget each
other; however widely separated, you are always before me; I am
always with you, although you see me not."
"Yes, Laura, there is not one moment of my life in which I do not
see and hear you!"
"Well, then, go cheerfully with the king. Our hearts understand each
other; our souls are inseparable."
The prince took her hand and pressed it to his heart, then silently
they left the saloon.
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