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252 . Orestes is with us,—know this from my lips,—in living presence, as surely as thou seest me here.

. What, art thou mad, poor girl? Art thou laughing at my sorrows, and thine own?

. Nay, by our father's hearth, I speak not in mockery; I tell thee that he is with us indeed.

. Ah, woe is me! And from whom hast thou heard this tale, which thou believest so lightly?

. I believe it on mine own knowledge, not on hearsay; I have seen clear proofs.

. What hast thou seen, poor girl, to warrant thy belief? Whither, I wonder hast thou turned thine eyes, that thou art fevered with this baneful fire?

. Then, for the gods' love, listen, that thou mayest know my story, before deciding whether I am sane or foolish.

. Speak on, then, if thou findest pleasure in speaking.

. Well, thou shalt hear all that I have seen. When I came to our father's ancient tomb, I saw that streams of milk had lately flowed from the top of the mound, and that his sepulchre was encircled with garlands of all flowers that blow. I was astonished at the sight, and peered about, lest haply some one should be close to my side. But when I perceived that all the place was in stillness, I crept nearer to the tomb; and on the mound's edge I saw a lock of hair, freshly severed.

And the moment that I saw it, ah me, a familiar image rushed upon my soul, telling me that there I beheld a token of him whom most I love, Orestes. Then