I would not lay
such a curse upon any woman, much less upon one I love.'
'A curse is a purely conventional term, having no real meaning in
life,' replied Rex. 'The reality is you yourself, your love and her
love, whether you be the Emperor or Herr Schmidt. At least that is all
the reality which can ever affect either of you, so far as marriage is
concerned. I do not say that your name, or mine, would not be a
disadvantage if we were ambitious men and if we wanted to be statesmen
or officers. But I do assert that no sensible person will blame you or
me for marrying happily if we have the opportunity, merely because our
fathers did evil in their day.'
Greif listened attentively, but shook his head.
'It is strange that you should not think as I do about this,' he
answered. 'We think alike about most things. But you need not try to
persuade me against my will. I will not yield.'
'Will you take my advice about a smaller matter?'
'If I can.'
'Then listen to me. Do not be hasty. If you must see Fraulein von
Sigmundskron to-morrow, do not let your parting be final. You may
regret it all your life.'
'What would my regret be, compared with hers, if in the course of time
she realised that she had done wrong in taking my name?'
'Are there any men of her family alive?' asked Rex. 'Is there any other
branch?'
'No--if there were, they would never allow the marriage, even if I
wished it.'
'I did not ask for that reason. If she is alone in the world, take her
name.
Pages:
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302