Page:Tales of the Dead.djvu/83

 seized me, and I covered my face over with the clothes.”

“Alas!” exclaimed Amelia, “I cannot tell you how frequently I have heard similar noises. But as yet nothing have I seen.”

“Most fervently do I hope,” replied Florentina in an awful tone of voice, “that neither of you will ever, in this life, be subject to a proof of this nature!”

The deep sigh which accompanied these words, and the uneasy look she cast on the two sisters, produced evident emotions in them both.

“Possibly you have experienced such proof?” replied Amelia.

“Not precisely so: but suspend your curiosity. This eveningif I am still aliveI mean to say—that this evening I shall be better able to communicate all to you.”

Maria made a sign to Amelia, who instantly understood her sister; and thinking that Florentina wished to be alone, though evidently disturbed in her mind, they availed themselves of the first opportunity which her silence afforded. Her prayer-book was lying open on the table, which, now perceiving for the first time, confirmed Maria in the idea she had conceived. In looking for her shawl she removed a handkerchief which covered this book, and saw that the part which had most pro- Rh