Page:The Clergyman's Wife.djvu/37

, that half-forgotten faith washed the shores of memory again, and she murmured, dreamily: "Oh! if some fairy would bestow upon them each a wondrous gift!"

Scarcely had she spoken, when the rose-light, that tinted every object in the room, changed to a mellower dye; prismatic hues flashed fitfully through the golden radiance, gradually forming themselves into a rainbow of marvellous vividness; and, as the mother steadfastly gazed, beneath the resplendent arch, a form that seemed fashioned of moonlight, became visible. The serial shape was clad in an amethyst robe, its unbound tresses rolled, like a mantle of molten amber, down to the shining feet; its luminous brow was crowned with a chaplet of lilies, each lily a living opal. Never had Cornelia beheld a countenance so touching, so indescribably lovely in its holy tenderness; as it bent over her, the violet iris emitted soft rays which penetrated into her breast, and warmed and gladdened her heart.

While she contemplated the celestial presence, in joyful amazement, a voice, like the sound of zephyrs sweeping over an Æolian harp, charmed her ear.

It said, "Your wish is granted, I am sent to accord one gift to each of these sweet slumberers."

Rapture rendered the mother speechless.

"Speak! What will you choose?" asked the unearthly visitant.