Page:Horrid Mysteries Volume 3.djvu/229

 "Wife, or sister. Is there any difference? Or do you think I have a stronger claim to your love as wife? Here is my hand; I will be any thing you wish me to be."

On our return to the castle, we met the Baron, and the Count, who also had gone in quest of me, and with rapture embraced the recovered son and friend. I was happier than words can describe, but found it impossible to join in the lively sallies of their sportive humour. Adelheid was in the same predicament. The Baron perceived our mutual transport, and his cheerfulness encreased.

I went, on the subsequent morning, to the Baron, as soon as he got up, and discovered the whole to him. He conducted me silently to his daughter, who, as well as myself, encircled his knees, and, lifting us up with tears of affection in his eyes, said kindly, "God bless you, my children: you have prevented me." S******i almost was frantic with joy. Before a month elapsed Adelheid was my wife.