صفحة 296 من 1118

On the morrow, the imagination of Gertrude was occupied with the

expected examination, and with a vague hope of some opportunity

to retract. At an early hour she was sent for by the prince, who

addressed her in these words:-"Courage, my daughter; you have as

yet conducted yourself admirably; to-day you must crown the work.

All that has been done, has been done with your consent. If, in

the meanwhile, you had any doubts, any misgivings, you should

have expressed them; but at the point to which things have now

arrived, it will no longer do to play the child. The worthy man

who is to come this morning, will put a hundred questions to you,

concerning your vocation; such as, whether you go voluntarily,

and the why and the wherefore. If you falter in your replies, he

will continue to urge you; this will produce pain to yourself,

but might become the source of a more serious evil.