ty. This kiss I
held to be a sign that Aurora--so I called my mysterious
mistress--would now for good and all take some living shape, and no
more leave me. When the lovely one again appeared to me on the
following night, I entreated her in the usual manner, and in the most
touching words, such as the ardour of love inspired to complete my
happiness, and to be mine for ever in a visible form. She gently
extricated herself from my arms, and then said with mild earnestness,
'You know in what manner you became my master. My happiest wish was to
belong to you entirely; but the fetters that bind me to the throne to
which the race, of which I am one, is subjected, are only half-broken.
The stronger, the more potent your sway, so much the freer do I feel
from tormenting slavery. Our intercourse will become more and more
intimate, and perhaps the goal may be reached before a year has
elapsed. Would you, beloved, anticipate the destiny that presides over
us, many a sacrifice, many a step, apparently doubtful, might be
necessary.' 'No!' I exclaimed, 'for me nothing will be a sacrifice, no
step will appear doubtful to obtain thee entirely. I cannot live
longer without thee, I am dying of impatience--of unspeakable pain!'
Then Aurora embraced me, and whispered in a scarcely audible voice,
'Art thou happy in my arms?' 'There is no other happiness,' I
exclaimed, and glowing with love even to madness, I pressed the
charming creature to my bosom. I felt living kisses upon my lips, and
these very kisses were melodies of heaven, through which I heard the
words, 'Couldst thou, to possess me, renounce the happiness of an
unknown hereafter?' An icy cold shudder trembled through me, but in
the midst of this shudder passion raged still more furiously, and I
cried in the involuntary madness of love, 'Without thee there is no
happiness!--I renounce--'

"I still believe that I stopped here. 'To-morrow night our compact
will be concluded,' whispered Aurora, and I felt that she was about to
vanish from my arms. I pressed her to me with greater force, she
seemed to struggle in vain, when suddenly--I awoke from deep slumber,
thinking of the Devil Amor, and the seductive Biondetta. What I had
done in that fatal night fell heavily upon my soul. I thought of that
unholy invocation by the horrible O'Malley, of the warnings of my pious
young friend. I believed that I was in the toils of the evil one--that
I was lost. Torn to the very dep