Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/353

 lant the parting kiss!" As patiently as the lamb that goes to be slaughtered, the knelt down before the body, and kissed its pale mouth. I contemplated with pleasure the reluctance expressed in her countenance. She rose again, and I buried the corpse. I poured the blood over the rising turf of the tomb, and dashed the bason in pieces. "Thus, Bernardos," added I, "do I devote thee to damnation and everlasting infamy! thou hast robbed thy friend of all that was dear to him!"

Adela could weep no more. Perhaps she was too much occupied with the fate that awaited her. Only at certain intervals her dark eyes would dwell on me with secret horror. I studiously avoided those glances, and beckoned her to follow me to the villa.

We returned to her chamber, she fainted, and I put her on the sopha. When she recovered a little, I said, "Here Madam, is the key of the room in which I have thought proper to shut up your women. This instant, get ready your trunk, that we may set out in less than an hour. By the time you are ready,