The world and the things of the world call me
with a thousand alluring voices, and I shall be lost as my mother
was lost! I am her most unhappy daughter, and her blood is in my
heart!" Almost insensible, crushed by excitement and passion,
Camilla sank to the earth.
Her mother looked at her with cold and tearless eyes; her hair
seemed to stand erect, and a cold, dead hand seemed placed upon her
heart and almost stilled its beatings. "I have deserved this,"
murmured she; "God punishes the levity of my youth through my own
child." She bowed down to her daughter and raised her softly in her
arms.
"Come, my child," she said, tenderly, "we will forget this hour--we
will strive to live in love and harmony with each other. You are
right! You are no longer a child, and I will think of introducing
you to the world."
"And you will dismiss Madame Brunnen," said Camilla, gayly. "Oh,
mamma, you have no idea how she tortures and martyrs me with her
Argus-eyes, and watches me day and night. Will you not dismiss her,
mamma, and take no other governess?"
"I will think of it," said her mother, sadly. But now a servant
entered and announced Count Ranuzi.
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