Nina turned away from her cousin and looked out from the window into the little court. Ziska could not see her face; but had he done so he would not have been able to read the smile of triumph with which for a moment or two it became brilliant. No; Anton would make no such bargain as that! Anton loved her better than any title-deeds. Had he not told her that she was his sun — the sun that gave to him light and heat? "If they are his own, why should he be asked to make any such bargain?" said Nina.  

"Nina," said Ziska, throwing all his passion into his voice, as he best knew how, "it cannot be that you should love this man."  

"Why not love him?"  

"A Jew!"  

"Yes — a Jew! I do love him."  

"Nina!"  

"What have you to say, Ziska? Whatever you say, do not abuse him. It is my affair, not yours. You may think what you like of me for taking such a husband, but remember that he is to be my husband."  

"Nina, let me be your husband."  

"No, Ziska; that cannot be."  

"I love you. I love you fifty times better than he can do. Is not a Christian's love better than a Jew's?"  

"Because I do not love you. Can there be any other reason in such a matter? I do not love you. I do not care if I never see you. But him I love with all my heart. To see him is the only delight of my life. To sit beside him, with his hand in mine, and my head on his shoulder, is heaven to me. To obey him is my duty; to serve him is my pleasure. To be loved by him is the only good thing which God has given me on earth. Now, Ziska, you will know why I cannot be your wife." Still she stood before him, and still she looked up into his face, keeping her gaze upon him even after her words were finished.  

"Accursed Jew!" said Ziska.  

"That is right, Ziska; curse him; it is so easy."  

"And you too will be cursed — here and hereafter. If you marry a Jew you will be accursed to all eternity."  

"That, too, is very easy to say."  

 Prev. P 37/173 next