obscurely in my soul. What could they mean? At the same moment she fell fainting into my arms.
—"What ails you, madam?" asked I, "are you not well?"
—"I am very ill, Carlos," replied she, raising her face from my shoulder. Never had I seen a countenance so full of agitation, and her dishevelled locks hung bewildered over her face. "Pity me, Carlos," added she, "for heaven's sake! pity me!"
—"She is out of her mind," said I to myself, "or presently will be. What must I do? I cannot flatter her passion even for a moment; and suppose I really were to do it purely to pacify her for to-night, these walls have ears, and the count's friendship is dearer to me than my life."
—"O! Carlos," cried she, "is thy heart as insensible as a rock?"
—"Upon my word, madam," replied I whispering, "what can be the matter with you? Consider the place, and the count still up—"
—"Then come to my chamber!"
