“She was like all of us--all saving you,” I said; “full of evil, but of much good also. She was from the South, and lived after the manner of her people. Leave her judgment to God.” “She loved you,” spoke Ilsa, in a whisper. “She truly loved you, though her love was not pure. I will ever judge her kindly.” Then I led her from the room, to the one where I had been prisoner, that we might be away from fearful scenes. “Ilsa,” I said, “I heard what you said to Marianna. Is it true? Will you marry me?” “Whenever you say, Walter.” “Ilsa, the Cause will triumph. We will save Dr. Luther. There is yet time. In days to come the convent doors will open. Many nuns will go forth to the new Christian liberty. They will be happy wives and mothers. Dare you be the first?” “I dare.” Then with a toss of her head of elflocks, while her form shook with great sobs, she asked amid a dreadful laughter, “Ach! Wälterchen, do you not think I have been proved without vocation for a nun _to-day_?” “I think,” answered I, “a greater than Leo of Rome has this day cancelled off your vow.” Then I continued, “Last night I seemed hopelessly trapped. They held me utterly. My confidence broke down. I reflected on how Luther was betrayed, the Cause doubtless ruined, you doomed to a life of clouds and grief, and all in the end because once I had welcomed the bad love of a sinful woman, and now even in the days of repentance could not cast off the consequences thereof. I felt almost as a new Judas, cursed on earth, and damned in hell. At length I prayed, ‘Oh! Lord take away my life, nay, blot out my very soul. Yet let me die as a man, not as a sheep; for the memory of the ill which I have wrought will drive me mad through all eternity.’ And now heaven has answered--this.” Whereat I kissed her. After a little I drew her to the window, whence I had gazed as a chained captive only two brief hours past. Before our eyes rose the glorious mount of the castle, its slopes all clad in the young spring green. “Now,” I repeated aloud, “let not death, nor life, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, separate me from Ilsa, my true wife, bestowed on me by the great love of God!” CHAPTER XXXIV THE DEED UNDER THE BEECHWOOD