. She was still stunned--still confused
by the dreams of her swoon. She passed her hand over her forehead, and
let it drop again list-less and powerless. "My senses are confused,"
whispered she in a low voice, "I do not hear; what has happened to
me?"

"Do not ask, do not inquire," cried Feodor, ardently. "Think only that
love has sent an angel to you, on whose wings you have reposed on
your passage hither to me. Why will you ask after the nature of
the miracle, when the miracle itself brings delight to our eyes and
hearts? Therefore, fear nothing, gentle, pure being. Like an angel do
you come to me through the deluge of sin. You bear the olive-branch of
peace, and love and happiness are before us."

But as he was about to press her still more closely to his heart, a
shudder pervaded her whole frame. "Oh, now, I recollect," she cried,
vehemently; "now I know all! I was alone in the garden. There came
those terrible men. They seized me with their rude hands. They wounded
my heart with their horrible looks, which made me shudder. Whither
have they brought me? where am I?"

"You are with me," said Feodor, carrying her hand to his lips.

For the first time, then, she looked at him--for the first time,
she recognized him. A deep blush of joy suffused her cheeks, and an
angelic smile beamed on her lips. She felt, she knew nothing further
than that her lover was at her side, that he was not dead--that he was
not lost to her. With an outcry of delight she threw herself into his
arms, and greeted the lost, the found one, with warm and happy words
of love. She raised her eyes and hands to heaven. "Oh, my God, he
lives!" cried she, exultingly. "I thank Thee, God, I thank Thee. Thou
hadst pity on my sufferings."

"Love protected me," said Feodor, gazing at her passionately. "Love
saved me by a miracle. Still more miraculously, it brings you to my
arms. Fear not, Elise. No other eye than mine has seen you. No
one knows your name. That sweet secret, is only known to Love and
ourselves."

Elise trembled. This imprudent speech woke her out of the stupor which
had so long had possession of her; it recalled her to the world, and
dispelled the charm which his presence, his looks, and his words had
thrown around her. She was now aroused, and hurried from a state of
dreamy delight to one of cruel and dread reality. The ray of joy faded
from her cheek, the smile died on her lips, and, extricating herself
forcibly from his arms, she s