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"Who hinders you from loving and being happy?" inquired Telimena.

"The power of my destiny," said the Count, "mysterious

forebodings that with a secret impulse urge me to foreign lands

and to unwonted deeds. I confess that to-day I wished in honour

of Telimena to light the flame on the altars of Hymen, but this

youth has given me too fair an example by tearing off his

marriage wreath of his own free will and rushing to test his

heart amid the hindrances of changeful fortune and amid the

bloody chances of war. To-day for me, too, a new epoch is opened!

Birbante-Rocca has resounded with the renown of my arms; may this

renown spread far and wide in Poland also!"

He concluded, and proudly smote his sword hilt.