Pagina 580 van 788

"Ah, often over the winecups, when he was in a melting mood, when

he clasped me so closely and assured me of his friendship, since

he needed my sabre or my vote at the diet, and when in return I

was forced to clasp him in friendly wise, then anger would so

boil up within me that I would turn the spittle within my lips

and clasp my sword hilt with my hand, longing to spit upon this

friendship and to draw the sword at once. But Eva, noticing my

glance and my bearing, would guess, I know not how, what was

passing within me, and would gaze at me imploringly, and her face

would turn pale; and she was so fair and meek a dove, and she had

so gentle and serene a glance!-so angel-like that-I know not

how-but I lacked the courage to anger or alarm her-and I held my

peace.