"I am ready, doctor, and I beg you to give me a bed in your house
for the present. During the last ten days I have had a burning
fever."
While Lord Elliot was driving off, Camilla and le beau cousin stood
confronting each other; neither dared to break the fearful silence,
or even to look at each other.
Suddenly the door opened, and General von Saldern, the adjutant of
the king, entered the room. Camilla had not the strength to advance
to meet him; she returned his salutation by a faint inclination of
the head. The general did not appear to see Kindar, and made no
response to his profound bow.
"Madame," said the general, solemnly, "I come at the command of the
king; by his authority as king and judge, and as head of the church,
he has annulled your marriage with Lord Elliot. This was done as a
proof of his regard to Lord Elliot. Out of regard to your own
family, he insists upon your immediate marriage with Baron Kindar,
who has been dismissed from the king's service."
"No, no," cried Camilla, "I will never marry him! Leave me, sir--I
will never become the wife of this man!"
"It is his majesty's express command that you should be married
without delay," said General Saldern; "he has also commanded me to
say to you that this scandalous intrigue, insulting to morals and
good manners, should no longer be brought before the public.
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