Page:Teleny, or The Reverse of the Medal, t. II.djvu/40

 The vision of Antinöus as I had seen it the first time he played appeared before me.

"He had tied the scarf tightly round his waist, and he was about to pass it around me.

Come.'

"The die was cast. I had not the right to accept such a sacrifice from him.

No,' quoth I, 'let us live.'

Live,' added he, 'and then?'

"He did not speak for some moments, as if waiting for a reply to that question which had not been framed in words. In answer to his mute appeal I stretched out my hands towards him. He—as if frightened that I should escape him—hugged me tightly with all the strength of irrepressible desire.

I love you!' he whispered, 'I love you madly! I cannot live without you any longer.'

Nor can I,' said I, faintly; 'I have struggled against my passion in vain, and now I yield to it, not tamely, but eagerly, gladly. I am your's, Teleny! Happy to be your's, your's for ever and your's alone!'

"For all answer there was a stifled hoarse cry