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 this blessed morning teach thee that there is no one tone in earth or heaven so worthy to rule as Love?”

“Touch the lute once more,” said Ernesta; “only try once more.”

Again those sweet strains rose in the morning air, and again to the listening ear of Ernesta rose that faint clear echo-tone, so strange, so pure, so far surpassing music ever heard before by mortal ear, that her raptured sense could scarcely endure the excess of melody.

But Mira’s ears were filled with the music of the heart, and she could not hear these higher seraph strains.

“Now, Mira,” said Ernesta, “look around, and tell me truly what thou seest.”

“I see a beautiful, happy world, full of rich sunlight and flowers, and thronged with good, loving fairies roaming here and there, tending the sickening plants and supporting the delicate flower-buds; helping the young birds in their flight, and teaching all created things to live and to love. And what sees my sister Ernesta?”

“I see, between heaven and earth, God’s holy cherubim ascending and descending; searching out the weary fainting spirits throughout the world, and bearing to them balm from Paradise. I see them rising with the prayers of the afflicted, and returning with sweet answers fresh from Heaven. And sometimes I see a newly perfected, enfranchised soul, borne rejoicing by the angels to the Throne, to dwell for ever in the presence of the Fountain of Love transcendent. But, Mira, look up, and tell me what you see.”

“When I look up, I see nothing, because of the dazzling sunlight.”

“Ah! but through the sunlight I can see the stars! the clear stars, that ever shine and never weary. And hark! From high, above the stars, floats down the prancing echo-tone. ’Tis the voice of the angels with their harps&mdash;they answer my heaven-yearning lute! ’Tis the great master-tone which rules the universe&mdash;the music of the soul!”