'It is in vain that the Graf storms, and that mamma tells me every vow that has passed between us must be forgotten, that when you left Frankenburg you lost all claim on me, and I was, and am, perfectly free. I am not free, Carl; I have promised to become your wedded wife, and no other shall have my heart or hand while I live!' She spoke with strong passion, and as she lay in the arms of her lover, her whole delicate form was trembling violently. 'But for this war, I would implore you to take me away with you, and make me your wife in spite of them all--your dear little wife, Carl. Wherever you went, there Ernestine would be with you, and we should live but for each other, and love each other as we have always done.' 'And this war once over, if God spares me, I shall come, at every risk, at every hazard, and take you away--on this I had already resolved, darling.' 'When that time comes, dearest Carl, I will live on your smiles by day, and rest my head on your bosom at night.' There was a smile on the eyes and on the lips of the girl as she spoke, though her heart was torn by the misery of the coming separation. Suddenly she said: 'Kneel with me before this altar, ere some one interrupts us. Let us make a promise to be true to each other in life and in death----' 'Death, darling?' 'In sorrow and joy, peril and safety; sickness and health, in death and in life! Repeat after me, what I say.' Clasped hand in hand, and kneeling face to face, they each promised to be faithful, loving and true to the other, under all circumstances, exactly as if they had been wedded, till death parted them. The words she dictated were strangely nervous and solemn--solemn even to being fantastic--chilling, yet somehow charming, and they were never forgotten by Charlie, who repeated them after her as one in a dream. In the usually tender eyes and soft face of Ernestine there was, for a time, a sad yet stern expression of resolution and self-mastery, which Charlie failed to analyze, though the memory of it long haunted him. 'We have forged our spiritual chain, beloved Carl,' said she, 'and cannot break it now.' 'Nor shall it ever be broken!' he replied, caressing her tenderly. '_For life and death_ our bond be recorded in Heaven!' said the strange romantic girl; 'kiss me, Carl, kiss me--I feel much happier now.' 'Surely Heaven will spare me for your sake, my love.' 'If not, we shall meet there, Carl--for I should not be long behind you, there, where there are no harsh parents, "where there is neither marriage, nor giving in marriage,"--then we shall be re-united, Carl, and live our dreams of love over again.' The girl's manner was exquisitely tender, yet sad, and so earnest that there came a time when Charlie remembered it, occasionally with terror. The voice of her brother was now heard. 'Heinrich is very impatient,' said Charlie. 'One moment, Carl. If I were to come to you when dead, would you fear me?'