"I, who love Max more than I love the blood of my heart, would kill him with my own hand rather than have cause to call him coward and speak the truth." "No, no," she cried desperately, grasping my hand.

"Do not let him fight.

Ah, Sir Karl, if you bear me any love, if my grief and unhappy lot have touched your heart, even on the smallest spot, I pray you, do this thing for me.

Do not let Max fight with this Count Calli.

If Max falls--" "But Max will not fall," I answered boldly.