Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 9, 1895 - Romances Volume II

THE CAUSE AND OUTBREAK
'Ah, madam,' he replied, ''tis as I knew it would
be ! Your heart, I knew, would wound you when
we came to this distasteful but most necessary step.
Ah, madam, believe me, I am not unworthy to be
your ally ; I know you have qualities to which I am
a stranger, and count them the best weapons in the
armoury of our alliance : — the girl in the queen —
pity, love, tenderness, laughter ; the smile that can
reward. I can only command ; I am the frowner.
But you ! And you have the fortitude to command
these comely weaknesses, to tread them down at the
call of reason. How often have I not admired it
even to yourself! Ay, even to yourself,' he added
tenderly, dwelling, it seemed, in memory on hours
of more private admiration. ' But now, madam '
'But now, Herr von Gondremark, the time for
these declarations has gone by,' she cried. 'Are
you true to me ? are you false 1 Look in your
heart and answer : it is your heart I want to know.'
' It has come,' thought Gondremark. ' You,
madam ! ' he cried, starting back — with fear, you
would have said, and yet a timid joy. ' You ! your-
self, you bid me look into my heart ? '
' Do you suppose I fear ? ' she cried, and looked
at him with such a heightened colour, such bright
eyes, and a smile of so abstruse a meaning that the
Baron discarded his last doubt.
' Ah, madam ! ' he cried, plumping on his knees.
' Seraphina ! Do you permit me ? have you divined
my secret ? It is true — I put my life with joy into
your power — I love you, love with ardour, as an
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