Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 7, 2025
The exclamation broke from Hoffman as if an irrepressible impulse wrung it from him. Helen started, and for a moment neither spoke. She collected herself soonest, and without turning, said, quietly, "I have been troubled by a strong impression that Casimer is not what he seems. Till he denied it on his honor I believed him to be Baron Palsdorf. Did he speak the truth when he said he was not?"
"I will forgive you and carry your gift to Amy on one condition," she said, gravely. "Ah, you are kind! Name, then, the condition. I implore you, and I will agree." "Tell me, then, on your honor as a gentleman, are you not Baron Palsdorf?" "On my honor as a gentleman, I swear to you I am not." "Are you, in truth, what you profess to be?"
"What an odd name! Sigismund is German, is it not?" asked Amy, in the most artless tone of interest. "Yes, mademoiselle, and Palsdorf is a true German; much courage, strength and intellect, with the gayety and simplicity of a boy. He hates slavery of all kinds, and will be free at all costs. He is a good son, but his father is tyrannical, and asks too much.
Sigismund will not submit to sell himself, and so is in disgrace for a time." "Palsdorf! was not that the name of the count or baron we heard them talking of at Coblentz?" said Helen to Amy, with a well-feigned air of uncertainty. "Yes; I heard something of a duel and a broken betrothal, I think.
Opening the big book, Amy was soon intently poring over the long list of names, written in many hands and many languages. "I've got it! Here he is oh, Nell, he's a baron! Isn't that charming? 'Sigismund von Palsdorf, Dresden. We must see him, for I know he's handsome, if he wears such distracting gloves." "You'd better take them up yourself, then."
"Will you own the truth?" and in her eagerness to set her fears at rest, Amy forgot Helen. "I will." She could not see his face, but his voice was steady and his manner earnest. "Tell me, then, is not your true name Sigismund Palsdorf?" He started, but answered instantly, "It is not." "You are not the baron?" cried Amy. "No; I will swear it if you wish." "Who, then, are you?" "Shall I confess?"
May I see the handkerchief?" Helen showed it. He glanced at the initials, and laid it down with a slight smile. "The coat-of-arms is English, mademoiselle." "Are you sure?" "Quite so; I understand heraldry." "But the initials stand for Sigismund Palsdorf, and we know he is a German baron," broke in Amy, forgetting prudence in eagerness.
"No, young ladies; the courier and exile are defunct, and from their ashes rise Baron Sigismund Palsdorf, my friend, and Sidney Power, my nephew. I give you one hour to settle the matter; then I shall return to bestow my blessing or to banish these scapegraces forever." And, having fired his last shot, the major prudently retreated, without waiting to see its effect.
I thought the person was a waiter, and never looked at him," said Helen, with provoking indifference. "How unfortunate! Uncle, you are going to see the fortress; we don't care for it; but I want you to take these gloves and inquire for Baron Sigismund Palsdorf. He will be there with a party of gentlemen. You can easily manage it, men are so free and easy.
When is the wedding to be?" "Never, Palsdorf says. There is everything but love in the bargain, and he swears he'll not agree to it. I like that." "There is much nobleness in him, spite of his vagaries. He will sow his wild oats and make a grand man in time. By the by, if we are going to the fortress, we must be off.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking