"Scarce have we
met, and you talk of leaving me. Oh, whither would you
go?"
"Surely, my love," and he spoke half reproachfully,
although with tenderness of accent, "my meaning must be
obvious. But what do I say? You know it not. Madeline
still lives. We saw her, as we pulled towards the shore,
led across the clearing in the direction of Chabouiga.
Hear me, then: the canoe in which we came is still towing
from the vessel's stern, and in this do I mean to embark,
without further loss of time, in search of her who is
dearer to me than existence. I know," he pursued with
emotion, "I have but little hope of rescuing, even if I
do succeed in finding her; but at least I shall not have
to suffer under the self-reproach of having neglected
the only chance that now lies within my reach. If she
be doomed to die, I shall then have nothing left to live
for--except you, Clara," he concluded, after a pause,
pressing the weeping girl to his heart, as he remarked
how much she seemed pained by the declaration.
Having placed his sister once more on the couch, and
covered her with a cloak that had been brought from the
cabin of the unfortunate commander, Captain de Haldimar
now rose from his humble seat, and grasping the hand of
his friend,--
"Valletort," he said, "I commit this dear girl to your
keeping.
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