CHAPTER XVII
The effect of what Rex had said was to hasten Greif's action. After
listening to his cousin's arguments, he felt that what was to be done
must be done quickly, lest his courage should fail him. If he had been
left to himself he would never have doubted his own strength, and would
very possibly have waited a day or two before going to Sigmundskron to
bid Hilda farewell. Now, however, he felt that to hesitate or delay
would be fatal, and he resolved to lose no time in carrying out his
intentions. In order to isolate himself more completely from all
outward influences he would have sent Frau von Sigmundskron back alone
and would have followed her a few hours later; but his sense of common
decency, as well as his profound gratitude, forbade such a course. He
could not by any means avoid the long drive in her company, and he
tried to harden his heart as he submitted to his destiny. It was
certain that, unless she had changed her mind, she would talk of the
matter of his visit, and would repeat in his unwilling ear all those
arguments which appealed to his heart so strongly, and which so
grievously shook his chivalrous resolution.
During the long night that succeeded the day of the funeral ceremony,
the sorrow of the parting which was before him assumed such proportions
as made the past seem less horrible, and the change from one kind of
suffering to another afforded his exhausted nature a relief of which he
was not conscious, but which was nevertheless very real.
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