Page:Tales of the Dead.djvu/108

 morning has been to me a frightful one; but at this moment I find myself composed, my health is excellent, and gives me a confidence that death would with difficulty overcome me to-day. Besides, a secret but lively presentiment tells me that this very evening the wish I have so long formed will be accomplished. My beloved sister will appear to me, and will defeat the prediction concerning me.

“Dear Seraphina! you were so suddenly, so cruelly snatched from me! Where are you, that I may return, with tenfold interest, the love that I have not the power of proving towards you?”

The two sisters, transfixed with horror, had their eyes riveted on the clock, which struck the fated hour.

“You are welcome!” cried Florentina, seeing the fire in the chimney, to which they had paid no attention, suddenly extinguished. She then rose from her chair; and with open arms walked towards the door which Maria and Amelia anxiously regarded, whilst sighs escaped them both; and at which entered the figure of Seraphina, illumined by the moon’s rays. Florentina folded her sister in her arms.—“I am thine for ever!”

These words, pronounced in a soft and melancholy tone of voice, struck Amelia and Maria’s