I cannot hope that such fortune would always
attend me. The cause for which I have fought seems lost, and since
the Protestant princes of Germany are hastening to desert it, neither
honour nor common sense demand that I, a soldier of fortune and a
foreigner, should struggle any longer for it; therefore I am ready
at once to resign my commission and to return to Scotland."
"So be it," the countess said; "but regarding Thekla's dowry I shall
insist on having my way. I should wish to see her in a position
similar to that in which she was born, and with this sum you can
largely increase your estates and take rank among the nobles of
your country. Now I will call Thekla in and leave you to ask her
to agree to the arrangements we have made.
"My child," she went on, as Thekla in obedience to her summons
entered the apartment, "Malcolm Graheme has asked your hand of me.
He tells me that he loves you truly, and is willing to take you as
a penniless bride, and to carry you and me away with him far from
these terrible wars to his native Scotland -- what say you, my
love?"
Thekla affected neither shyness or confusion, her colour hardly
heightened as in her sombre mourning she advanced to Malcolm, and
laying her hand in his, said:
"He cannot doubt my answer, mother; he must know that I love him
with my whole heart."
"Then, my daughter," the countess said, "I will leave you to
yourselves; there is much to arrange, for time presses, and your
betrothal must be quickly followed by marriage.
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