But she thrust out her hands against him to keep him off.

The gesture stopped him, just when he would have taken her in his arms.
"No, no!" she cried vehemently.

"You must not say such things, you must not think such thoughts! You are beside yourself, and you will drive me mad, too!" "But it will be so easy--you shall see--" She cut his words short.
"It must not be easy, it must not be possible, it must not be at all! Do you believe that I love you and that I would let you do such deeds?
Oh, no! That would not be love at all--it would be hate, it would be treason to you, and worse treason than yours against your brother!" The fierce light was sinking from his face.

He had folded his arms and stood very still, listening to her.
"You!" she cried, with rising energy.

"You, the brave soldier, the spotless man, the very soul of honour made flesh and blood! You, who have but just come back in triumph from fighting your King's enemies--you against whom no living being has ever dared to breathe a slander or a slighting word.