Then she lay still as before; but only for a moment.

With a wild cry, she sprang from the couch erect on the floor, flung her arms above her head, with clasped and straining hands, and, her wide eyes flashing with light, called aloud, with a voice exultant as that of a spirit bursting from a sepulchre, "I am free! I am free! I thank thee!" Then she flung herself on the couch, and sobbed; then rose, and paced wildly up and down the room, with gestures of mingled delight and anxiety.

Then turning to her motionless attendants--"Quick, Lisa, my cloak and hood!" Then lower--"I must go to him.

Make haste, Lisa! You may come with me, if you will." In another moment they were in the street, hurrying along towards one of the bridges over the Moldau.

The moon was near the zenith, and the streets were almost empty.