40 BERTHA .
away from a spot so perilous ; I will follow thee to some more public room ; we are lost if thou art found here . "
" We are lost , at any rate , " replied Angilbert ; " but worthless as life seems to me now , I would not endanger thine for an empire . The king is ' in the bath , and we are safe for at least an hour . " " Then tell me what has happened to pale thy cheek , my Angilbert ? Art thou ordered for Rome ? or is the blow dealt through me ? Say in what worst alternative my lot is cast , and whether thy faithful Bertha must break her heart in a convent or on a throne . "
" Thou hast said it . The Greek Empress has sent to demand thee for her son , Constantine . ”
" But my father will not consent ; he loves me too well to part with me ; no - never think it , Angilbert !! "
" The king will sacrifice his affection to the interests of his country and his daughter . He will part with thee , Bertha ! "
" But not to her not to the house of Irene , that cruel and usurping queen - No , no - never ! never ! never ! "
" Alas ! I have just come from the audience- the affair is settled , and thou art lost to Angil- bert ! "
The blood forsook Bertha's cheek , her eyes closed , and she sank fainting into his arms . Dis- tracted with terror , and ignorant what to do , he laid her down upon the bench , hung over her pale form , fanned her face , pressed her hands , and finally was on the point of calling aloud for aid . The warm stream of life , however , soon returned to flow through its paradise of beauty , and as his mistress opened again her bright eyes , Angilbert clasped her in his arms , and showered upon her brow , and cheeks , and lips , the kisses of his love and his despair .
The hour allowed by the lover for his visit passed quickly away ; and , in mingling tears and vows , they had as yet neglected to consider se- riously the situation in which they were placed , and to inquire whether any possibility of escape existed , however wild and desperate .
Another hour passed away more quickly and less sad ; and the lovers , whose only lights were each others ' eyes , at length perceived that the evening had come down in silence and darkness .
" So much the better , " said Angilbert , in reply to the startled remark of Bertha . " Under cover of this friendly shade I can retire in safety when I will ; let us then steal one other hour of mournful joy , and then -- then , sweet , good - night ! " The third hour passed away -more swifi
Than meditation or the thoughts of love , and they again looked round . The thick clouds had rolled from the face of the sky , and the moon stood full and bright in the serene heavens . It was as clear as day and as silent as night ; and as the horn of a sentinel on the ramparts echoed through the court , the lovers feeling that the mo- ment of separation had indeed arrived , glided with noiseless step to the window to look together upon the beautiful moon .
An extensive open court was before them , across which lay the way of Angilbert , and the only egress from this part of the palace . The court was surrounded by piazzas , and the moon light , streaming upon the marble pillars , made them appear of dazzling whiteness . Below , however , was spread a carpet still more purely white ; for during the hour of darkness a heavy fall of snow had descended , and the whole pave- ment of the court was covered with what might have seemed a sheet of virgin silver . There was not a breath of air to ruffle this beautiful surface ; and as the women of the royal family - all but Bertha - had long since retired to rest , with their whole household , its purity was unsullied , and its regularity unbroken by human foot .
" Thou tremblest , oh , my love ! " whispered Angilbert ; " the cold of this heavenly night has fallen upon thy heart . Farewell , farewell - re- tire to thy repose ; and for me , before seeking my sleepless couch , I will offer up a prayer in the chapel to its holy protectress , the blessed Virgin , for thy health and life . " Trembling , till the agita- tion seemed a nervous affection , but clinging to his embrace with the strength of despair , Bertha raised her eyes , which had been fixed with speech- less terror upon the court , and her lover saw that her face was as white as the snow itself . She at length pointed with a shudder to the snow ; and as a terrible thought struck like lightning through the heart of Angilbert , he smote his breast , and groaned aloud .
" A man's footsteps , " cried he , " to be seen in the morning in the midnight snow -- and from thy apartment ! Wretch that I am , I have destroyed her whom I love more than life ! Hark ! that distant noise of doors and voices- the king is retiring to bed ; the door of egress from the court will be locked ; nay , thy father may come here himself , as is sometimes his wont , to ask if thou art asleep ! What is to be done ? There is not a moment to be lost ; lend me thy shoes - alas they are too small ! Quick , quick , set thy woman's wit to work - arouse thee , bestir thee - awake , awake , for by the holy Virgin , 1 am duller than an owl , and more helpless than a babe ! "
The noise they had heard was indeed the breaking up of the court ; for Charles , sleeping enough in the morning , after dinner , to satisfy nature , cared not about the time of retiring ; and , even when in bed , was in the habit of re- ceiving visitors , and transacting business during a great part of the night . * The Greek stranger had had the honour of seeing him sup , when he observed , with surprise , the temperate habits of so great a prince . The supper consisted of only four dishes , principally roast game , brought to table on the spit by the chief huntsman ; and during the repast the king drank wine only three or four times , getting up without ceremony as soon as his appetite was satisfied . The affair , however , was conducted in other respects with all befitting pomp and circumstance . Besides * Eginhard , in Vit . Carol . Magn . ↑ Ibid .
