Now, when she paused sobbing, he stretched out his hand as if he wished to raise Leonore, then he seemed to hesitate and withdrew it.
She did not see it; she did not venture to look at him; she gazed only into her tortured heart.

"I have betrayed you," she continued, after an anxious, sorrowful pause.

"Oh, when I learned it, a sword pierced my soul and severed it from every joy of life.

I knew, in that hour, that I had fallen a prey to despair, but I wished at least to rescue you.

I have saved you, that is the sole merit of my life.