s his soul; her eyes sparkle through
the mist of tears, and a faint smile writhes her pale young lips. With
iron grasp he holds her to his heart.

'With my _soul_ I wed thy _soul_ before the Great White Throne of God,
our Judge!'

In softer, sadder tone, he adds: 'While in my power, I served our people
with my whole might. I have raised our white eagle on the castles of our
enemies. To morrow my comrades will pass these walls--ah! thou dost not
know, had I lived another day, whose gray hairs might have been
scattered in the coming whirlwind, or in whose courts I might have been
forced to take my seat as avenger! We will go hence together, my sister.
And where we go, the old men will not desert their country, the young
men will not be forced to dishonor the gray hairs of those who first
taught them the meaning of patriotism and honor; _there_ treason and
oppression are unknown--there will be no _necessary vengeance_ in the
Land of the Hereafter! Let us go, sister!'

Transfigured by a sublime exultation, she throws herself into the arms
of the chieftain; words and tears are no longer sufficient to thank him;
but love has taught her how it may be done. Suddenly drawing from her
finger the glittering ring of the enemy, she moves rapidly to the head
of the bridal bed, and places it upon the rich embroidery of the laced
pillows. Then returning to the chief, she presses his hand to her heart:

'Earth is past, and Heaven begun. Thou art henceforth my lord and master
forever!'

She kneels at his side, and begins to recite the prayers for the dying.
He kneels beside her, sometimes reciting with her, sometimes wrapt in
solemn silence. After a few moments, he breaks upon her prayers:

'The morning twilight is upon us.'

As he speaks, the little birds awake; their matin song sounds from the
well-known grove.

'Lean on my arm, beloved; let us look once more upon the earth we leave
so soon together!'

She leans heavily upon his arm, and they stand on the threshold of the
door opening upon the gallery.

* * * * *

The fading moon dies out beyond the mountains; her last rays fall upon
the turf of the terraced gardens; long wreaths of mist and vapor rise in
the air like bridal veils, floating and reddening in the early dawn. In
this fatal moment the luring promises and lovely images of life stand
before her. The murmurs of the lulling fountains fall upon her ear, then
flash upon her eye; the s