Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/384

 with caresses. "Thus," said the, "I catch thee Carlos!—But thou shrinkest from thy Caroline?"

She left me no time to return an answer. Nothing but the certainty of the count's being in ambush could keep me from yielding to human frailty, and from returning some of the lavished kisses of this enchantress. I seized her hand, and got away from her embraces. She seemed struck at my indifference. I led her trembling to a green seat, over which several tall bushes formed an arbor, behind which the count was hidden. She took this for a sure token of my remaining affection, and flattered herself with the sweet hope of this seat's becoming the couch on which I would gratify her wishes. In this belief she sank almost senseless on my bosom.

Had I been able to recal a single spark of my former passion for Caroline, and been alone and unobserved, I would have found it difficult to withstand her melting kisses and touching prayers. I had purposely laid it down as a condition, that the count himself