Thorny Path, a — Volume 07 by Georg Ebers
page 32 of 65 (49%)
page 32 of 65 (49%)
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which, like a poisonous blight, had marred for him all the joys of
existence, while she owed all that was loveliest and best in her young life to a brother's love. The grounds on which Caracalla had based the assertion that destiny had compelled him to murder Geta appeared to her young and inexperienced mind as indisputable. He was only the pitiable victim of his birth and of a cruel fate. Besides, the humblest and most sober-minded can not resist the charm of majesty; and this hapless man, who had honored Melissa with his confidence, and who had assured her so earnestly that she was of such importance to him and could do so much for him, was the ruler of the universe. She had also felt, after Caesar's confession, that she had a right to be proud, since he had thought her worthy to take an interest in the tragedy in the imperial palace, as if she had been a member of the court. In her lively imagination she had witnessed the ghastly act to which he--as she had certainly believed, even when she had replied to his question--had been forced by fate. But the demand which had followed her answer now recurred to her. The picture of Diodoros, which had completely vanished from her thoughts while she had been listening, suddenly appeared to her, and, as she fancied, he looked at her reproachfully. Had she, then, transgressed against her betrothed? No, no, indeed she had not! She loved him, and only him; and for that very reason, her upright |
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