Page:Tales of humour and romance translated by Holcroft.djvu/328

 insisted at all events on remaining. At length the ninth hour sent down its hollow sound from the Castle-tower; Sellner's countenance became illuminated, and a deep emotion glowed once more upon his pale features. "Josephina," cried he, as if actuated by divine inspiration. "Josephina, greet me yet once more on my departure, that I may know thou art near me, and may overcome death by the power of thy love." At this moment, the harp, as if by magic power began to pour forth its powerful chords, like songs of triumph, and then a glimmering light floated round the dying Sellner."Sellner. [sic] "I come, I come," cried he, and sank back, struggling with life. Softer and softer sounded the notes of the harp, while a last remnant of bodily strength once more raised Sellner up, and at the same moment the strings of the harp snapt asunder as if torn by the hand of a spirit. The physician trembled in every limb, pressed to his heart the departed Sellner, who now in spite of the last struggle, lay with closed eyes as if in a soft slumber, and in deep agitation left the house. Many a year elapsed ere he could eradicate the remembrance of that hour from his heart, and he allowed a profound silence to rest over the last moments of his friend, till at length in a moment of confidence he communicated the occurrences of that evening to some friends, at the same time showed them the harp which he had kept as a remembrance of the departed.

THE END.