"But, once more, madame, what means all this?"
"When you know it, you will comprehend my delay in informing you, for you will regard this revelation as a miracle from heaven. But, strange thought--I, who with one word can cause you the greatest happiness that you have ever experienced--I feel, although now the minutes of my life are counted--I feel an indescribable satisfaction in prolonging your suspense; and, besides, I know your heart, and, in spite of the firmness of your character, I should fear to announce to you, without preparation, a discovery so incredible. The emotions of sudden joy have also their dangers."
"Your pallor increases--you with difficulty restrain a violent agitation," said Rudolph; "all this proves that something grave and important----"
"Grave and important!" repeated Sarah, in a faltering voice, for, notwithstanding her habitual immobility, in reflecting upon the immense importance of the revelation she was about to make to Rudolph, she felt herself more agitated than she could have thought possible. After a moment's silence, Sarah, no longer able to restrain herself, cried, "Rudolph, our child is not dead."
"I tell you she lives!" These words, the accent of truth with which they were pronounced, moved the prince to the very bottom of his heart.
"Our child!" he repeated, advancing hastily toward Sarah; "our child! my daughter!"
"She is not dead; I have certain proofs; I know where she is--to-morrow you shall see her."
"My daughter! my child!" repeated Rudolph, as if in a dream; "can it be possible? is she alive?"
Then, suddenly reflecting on the great improbability of this relation, and fearing to be the dupe of Sarah, he cried, "No, no; it is a dream! it is impossible, you deceive me; it is some unworthy deceit!"
"No, I know your ambition--I know of what you are capable; I can fathom the object of this fabrication!"
"Well! you speak the truth. I am capable of everything. Yes, I did wish to deceive you. Yes, some days before I received my mortal wound I did wish to find a young girl, whom I would have presented to you in the place of our child whom you regret so bitterly."
"After this confession you will believe me, perhaps; or, rather, you will be forced to give credence to the proofs."