Page:German Stories (Volumes 1–2).djvu/335

Rh her features was completely altered; there never was much colour in her cheeks, but now they were of an ashy paleness, and even her lips were of a deathlike hue. Almost unconscious of what I did, I ran to embrace her; I could not speak; only my looks implored that she would explain what misfortune had happened to her. For a long time, however, she lay in my arms, silent and motionless, and it was but the kind and affectionate expression of her bright blue eyes, by which we could know that her attention was not wholly withdrawn from this world.

It was a sudden illness that seized me,’ she said at length—‘one of my old nervous attacks; but I am much better already, and shall be quite well soon.’ ‘Then she inquired if my father still wished that she should go to the party, but, under present circumstances, he, of course, allowed that this would be hazardous, insisting, however, that I should go, though I urged, as much as I dared, that my attendance would be indispensable for Seraphina; yet, in the end, I was obliged to set out, though, to part from her at such a time grieved me to the heart. I had ordered the carriage, at an early hour, to bring me away, yet VOL. I.