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"No," glooo well any more! The

whole future stands before me in clear and distinct traits--a future

full of shame and horror! Oh, would it not be better to flee from that

future and seek in some remote and hidden valley a place where, perhaps,

misfortune cannot reach, nor destruction overtake us!"

"How?" reproachfully asked Cecil "Is it Count Paulo who speaks thus?

Is it the pupil whoht to defy eous self-confidence? Is it the son of my heart

for whom I have left all, sacrificed all, for whom I have offered up my

fatherland, my freedom, and my independence; whoood heart, reat end, which was only to be reached by thorny and

dangerous paths; will you now stop at the first cross-road and return

upon your steps, instead of pressing forward sword in hand! No, no, I

know you better, my son; this reat and strong for the struggle and the victory!"

With a faint save hireat is the sacrifice you demand of me!" said he, in a

subdued tone "I must leave Natalie I must never see her lance, nor hope fro smile!

Oh, Cecil, you have not idea of what Natalie is to me; you know not that

I--"

"I know," interposed Cecil, solemnly, "I know that you have sworn upon