Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/577

 how hard it is for him to breathe! No, no! The Black Virgin has never spared a victim! My poor Axel!"

"Do not say that the Black Virgin is unrelenting," said Christian, gravely. "Why should I not tell you something which probably no one in the village knows? I was spared by the Black Virgin! I was as ill as your brother, but my father, a bold and vigorous seaman, went on the night of Christmas Eve to the Virgin herself, in her chapel, and she heard his prayer; for she can refuse nothing to those who manage to reach her on that night. From that moment my strength returned, and I got well, to the great astonishment of the whole village."

Frida's eyes sparkled; her look, usually gentle and tender, became energetic and determined.

"Thank you, Christian," she said; "your advice is good, and I will go tomorrow to the black rock."

"Alas!" sighed Christian. "It is useless to think about it. This year the Baltic is not completely frozen, and you would be obliged to cross an arm of the sea in which no boat could be taken with safety, on account of the enormous blocks of ice which are floating about. A large boat would be crushed by the icebergs within a few minutes; how could you hope to succeed in a small one?"

"I will dare anything to save Axel!"

Christian and Robert then endeavoured to convince her of the madness of the undertaking. At first she would not listen to their arguments; but after a time, without entirely yielding, she seemed to regard them as irrefutable.

"Let us say good-bye till to-morrow," she said, rising from her seat.

Robert was the last to leave. As he went out he kissed her forehead tenderly. "My Frida, I love you, I love you!" he cried. "Swear to me, Frida, dear," he added, "that, whatever happens, you will never forget me—never!"

"Never, never, Robert, dear!" she replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "Am I not wholly yours? How could I forget you?"

"Come, hurry up!" exclaimed old Christian from outside. "You evidently forget that I am waiting, and that it is very cold."

And the lovers separated.

During the evening, when Frida was alone she thought over what Robert had said before he left her, and wondered why he had spoken such sad words. What did he intend to do? Little by little she understood. Yes; there was no doubt about it, Robert had resolved to go to the rock to beg the Black Virgin to spare Axel. Why, it was certain death to try it! Axel was dear to her, but Robert must not be allowed to sacrifice himself for Axel, and sacrifice himself uselessly; for all that had been said about the Virgin was only an idle, childish superstition. Christian had related a circumstance which proved nothing. No, Robert must not risk his life!

All night long Frida sat at the bedside of Axel, who slumbered with half-closed eyes. She did not sleep; she pondered over Robert's words, "Swear to me that, whatever happens, you will never forget me!" and she I could still see fixed upon her the bold, proud, and tender look of the man she loved.

The next morning—it was Christmas Eve—Frida went out to find Robert.

"Robert," she said, me frankly. "answer me frankly. I know you, and I know that you are incapable of telling a lie. Tell me, Robert, do you think of going to the rock to-night?"

Robert lowered his head and said nothing.

"I will not have it," continued Frida. "Do you hear? I will not allow it! You have no right to risk your life in that way. Are you not the sole support of your old father? What would become of him without you? And do you think that I could live without your love, without your dear presence, especially if my silly superstition were the direct cause of your death? Hark how the wind howls! We seldom have such a gale