"No, my dear Bertha," said the doctor, seizing her hand, which she, half mechanically, let him do. "No, I do not mistake, but the boat will leave in a few hours, and I myself cannot leave Cincinnati, on account of business, until the expiration of some weeks. It is therefore not possible for me to part from you thus, without having first declared myself."
Bertha would have withdrawn her hand, but he would not let her, but continued, more passionately,
"Bertha, there is no time now to choose convenient times and places; I am on the point of losing you. You must, during the whole time you have known me, have remarked with what devotion I love you."
"Do not take away this hand from me," the doctor continued, with ardent looks; "do not reject the heart of one who is capable, nay, the whole wish of whose soul is to make you happy; do not turn your dear face away; say at least that you are not angry with me."
"Leave me, sir, I beg of you," said the girl, who was now really alarmed; "I can give you no hopes to encourage feelings which I cannot reciprocate."
"I have startled you, Bertha, have I not?" asked the doctor; "you are angry with me on that account."
"I am not angry with you; no, do not misunderstand me; you have been so disinterestedly obliging to my parents, and to the whole company, that I cannot help giving you my whole esteem."
"Oh! why that cold word--esteem?" said Normann.
"Do not demand more; I cannot, I dare not, ever feel more, I----"
"You love another; you love yonder young man, who----"
"Sir," said the otherwise so-retiring girl, drawing herself up proudly, "I believe that I am not bound to give any account of my feelings to you." With these words, she endeavoured to go back on the gallery, in order to return into the cabin, whither the doctor dared not have followed her, but he barred her passage, and said, in a low tone, but gravely: "Bertha, I love you--love you with a passion that startles even myself. Bertha, you _must_ be mine; do not rob me of every hope; say, at least, that you may, one day."
"Sir, you will oblige me to call for assistance if you do not let me go. You cannot hope to force me to love you? Farewell; _if_ we ever meet again, may this conversation be forgotten by both of us. I bear no ill-will towards you."