has been stolen away--like a night-sky without the glory
of its stars. She had carried with her all the strangeness of the
reflected room. It had sunk to the level of the one without.

But when the first pangs of his disappointment had passed, Cosmo began
to comfort himself with the hope that she might return, perhaps the next
evening, at the same hour. Resolving that if she did, she should not
at least be scared by the hateful skeleton, he removed that and several
other articles of questionable appearance into a recess by the side of
the hearth, whence they could not possibly cast any reflection into the
mirror; and having made his poor room as tidy as he could, sought the
solace of the open sky and of a night wind that had begun to blow, for
he could not rest where he was. When he returned, somewhat composed, he
could hardly prevail with himself to lie down on his bed; for he could
not help feeling as if she had lain upon it; and for him to lie there
now would be something like sacrilege. However, weariness prevailed; and
laying himself on the couch, dressed as he was, he slept till day.

With a beating heart, beating till he could hardly breathe, he stood
in dumb hope before the mirror, on the following evening. Again the
reflected room shone as through a purple vapour in the gathering
twilight. Everything seemed waiting like himself for a coming splendour
to glorify its poor earthliness with the presence of a heavenly joy. And
just as the room vibrated with the strokes of the neighbouring church
bell, announcing the hour of six, in glided the pale beauty, and again
laid herself on the couch. Poor Cosmo nearly lost his senses with
delight. She was there once more! Her eyes sought the corner where the
skeleton had stood, and a faint gleam of satisfaction crossed her face,
apparently at seeing it empty. She looked suffering still, but there was
less of discomfort expressed in her countenance than there had been the
night before. She took more notice of the things about her, and seemed
to gaze with some curiosity on the strange apparatus standing here and
there in her room. At length, however, drowsiness seemed to overtake
her, and again she fell asleep. Resolved not to lose sight of her this
time, Cosmo watched the sleeping form. Her slumber was so deep and
absorbing that a fascinating repose seemed to pass contagiously from her
to him as he gazed upon her; and he started as if from a dream, when
the lady moved, and, w