You are dear to me, and I wish you to remain so, but that you can only do by not breaking the oath you have sworn." "Sworn ?" asked Georg.

"Sworn ?" "Yes, sworn," interrupted Maria, checking her steps.

"On Peter's breast, on the morning of his birthday--after the singing.

You remember it well.
At the time you took a solemn vow; I know it, know it no less surely, than that I myself swore faith to my husband at the altar.

If you can give me the lie, do so." Georg shook his head, and answered with increasing warmth: "You read my soul.