Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/102

 From this, it will easily be seen, how well I kept my resolution. Francisca turned paler and paler, wept copiously, and after a long pause replied: "If you love me Carlos, spare your tenderness: for I am unworthy of it."

"Who could be worthier, than Francisca?—Tell me, I conjure you, what oppresses you so much?"

"Carlos! I am a faithless, outcast wife."

"Did Pedro say so?"

"No, Pedro has forgiven me; but I am again struggling with my heart, and this time, Carlos, I must submit."

"You love?"

She made no answer.

"You love, Francisca?" exclaimed I a second time, when half overwhelmed with despair she sunk on my bosom, laid hold of my hand, kissed and then laid it on her bosom. At this moment heaven and earth vanished before me; all my resolutions fled, and I henceforth considered Pedro as a rascally husband, that ought to lose all that was dear to an honest man. I took Francisca