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 “Then you may be assured of my personal sympathy and coöperation,” rejoined the queen. “I pledge you the utmost fidelity in all your efforts to extricate us from the wiles and the toils that encircle us.”

“My whole soul, and mind, and heart are combined in this dreadful emergency,” earnestly answered Zawis. “And you, good lady, have this day combined towards yourself, as the representative of my country, all the personal and patriotic sympathies I am capable of. In you I see Bohemia living and to you as the object of all my devotion I pledge my most sacred duty.”

“Believe me, I accept the pledge in all its honor, and my heart goes out to the gallant knight, and the valiant patriot, who thus nobly presents himself as a sacrifice for the distressed; for sacrifice my presentiment assures me it must be.”

“Your acceptance of my pledge is my highest joy and honor, Madam,” answered Zawis, “and henceforth I live devoted to your service, until death, as your good knight and true,” whereupon the queen permitted a solemn clasp of hand as chivalrous as it was impassioned, and the lovers parted for the time.

In another apartment, whither the company now proceeded, were seated Lady Ludmila and Eudocia, and as the queen entered they sang together:

My love was a gallant and courteous Knight And his spirit was proud and gay, And his chivalrous heart bore him strong in fight As the bravest who led the fray.