Page:Tales of the Dead.djvu/188

 her in her room playing on her guitar; for which reason I crept thither softly.’

And did you find her there?’

Alas! no: but the eager desire that I felt to see her, added to the fatigue of dancing, so entirely overpowered me, that I seated myself on a chair, where I fell fast asleep.’

How long since did you quit the room?’

The clock in the tower struck the three-quarters past eleven just as I entered my sister’s room.’

What does all this mean?’ said the countess to her husband in a low voice: ‘she talks in a connected manner; and yet I know, that as the clock struck three-quarters past eleven, I entreated Ida on this very spot to dance more moderately.’

And Marino?’—asked the count.

I thought, as I before said, that I should find him here.’

Good God!’ exclaimed the mother, ‘she raves: but the duke—Where is he then?’

What then, my good mother?’ said Ida with an air of great disquiet, while leaning on the countess.

“Meanwhile the count took a wax-taper, and made a sign for me to follow him. A horrible spectacle awaited us in the bridal-chamber, whither he conducted me. We there found the duke