She betrayed her love, yielding it up for filthy lucre, crushing her nobler nature in the dust, and driving over it, as did Tullia the dead body of her father. She sold herself for riches, before which you all kneel, as if worshipping the golden calf! After selling her soul to a man whom she despised, even if he were not rich, she has had the boldness to summon me, the down-trodden and half-crazed victim, to her gilded palace, as if I were a slave to be attached to her triumphal car. I am a free man, and have come here only to hurl contempt in her face, to brand her before you all as a perjurer and a traitress, whom I never will pardon, but will curse with my latest breath! Now I have relieved my heart of its burden, I command this woman to deny what I have said, if she can."With a dictatorial wave of the hand, he pointed excitedly Marie. Adeathlike stillness reigned. Even the lights seemed to grow dim, and every one was oppressed as if by excessive sultriness.
Again Moritz commanded Marie to acknowledge the truth of his accusations before the honored assembly.
She encountered his angry glance with calmness, and a smile was perceptible upon her lip. Yes, said she, I acknowledge that I am a perjurer and a traitor. I have sold myself for riches, and yielded my peace of soul and my love for mammon. I might justify myself, but I refrain from it, and will only say that you have told the truth!
One day you will cease to curse me, and, perhaps a tear of pity will glisten in the eye now flashing with scorn and anger. The poor wife who lies in the dust implores for the last blessing of your love!""Marie!" he cried, with heart-rending anguish, "oh, Marie!" and rushed toward her, kneeling before her, and clinging to her, pressing a kiss upon her hand and weeping aloud. Only for a moment did he give way, and then sprang up wildly, rushing through the crowd, out of the room.
A fearful silence ensued. No one had the courage to break it. Every one hoped that Marie, through a simulated fainting, would end the painful scene, and give the guests an opportunity to withdraw. No such thoughtfulness for her friends occurred to her.
She turned to the Marquis de Treves, who stood pale and deeply agitated behind her, and burst into a loud laugh.
"How pale you are! Have you taken this comedy for truth? Did you think this theatrical performance was a reality? You have forgotten what I told you a month since in Paris, that I had a native talent for acting. You would contest the matter with me, and I bet you that I could introduce an impromptu scene in my house, with such artistic skill, that you would be quite deceived.""Indeed I do recall it; how could I have forgotten it?" replied the marquis, with the ready tact of the diplomat.
"Have I won?" asked Marie, smiling.
"You have played your role, baroness, like an artiste of consummate talent, and to-morrow I shall have the honor to cancel the debt in your favor.""Now, then, give me your arm, marquis, and conduct me to the dancing-room, and you, worthy guests, follow us," said. Marie, leading the way.
The merry music even was not sufficient to dissipate the awkward oppression, and by midnight the guests had taken leave, and Marie stood under the chandelier, pale and rigid, opposite her husband. He had summoned courage to bewail the terrible scene, weeping and mourning over her cruelty and his shame. Marie, with chilling indifference, regarded him without one visible trace of pity.
"You realized what you were doing when you imposed the scorn of this marriage upon me," she said. "I have never deceived you with vain hopes! You have sown dragons' teeth, and warriors have sprung up to revenge me upon you. Serve yourself of your riches to fight the combatants. See if you can bargain for a quiet conscience as easily as you purchased me! My soul is free though, and it hovers over you as the spirit of revenge.--Beware!"She slowly turned and quitted the room. Her diamonds sparkled and blazed in the myriads of lights. The large mirrors reflected the image of a haughty woman, who swept proudly past like a goddess of revenge!
Ebenstreit stood gazing after her. He had a horror of the lonely still room, so gorgeous and brilliantly illuminated--a shudder crept over him, and he sank, weeping bitterly.
In the little room, the buried happiness of the past, Marie knelt, with outstretched arms, imploring heaven for mercy. "I thank Thee, Heavenly Father, that I have been permitted to see him again! My sacrifice was not in vain--he lives! He is free, and his mind is clear and bright. I thank Thee that he still loves me. His anger is but love!"