Barbara will attend to it, and how soon we must part! Yet you said that I was dear to you." "Don't torture me," cried the young wife, with pathetic entreaty.
"I will not torture you, Maria, but you must hear me.

I was in earnest, terrible earnest in the mute vow I swore, and have sought to release myself from it by death.

You have heard how I rushed like a madman among the Spaniards, at the storming of the Boschhuizen fortification in July.
Your bow, the blue bow from Delft, the knot of ribbons the color of the sky, fluttered on my left shoulder as I dashed upon swords and lances.

I was not to die, and came out of the confusion uninjured.

Oh! Maria, for the sake of this oath I have suffered unequalled torments.