It seemed to him that she had never been so lovely as in those last few minutes of her life. It was wonderful to see her resigned as she was.
There was a brief silence, broken only by a sharp, convulsed sob from the kneeling man. Adrea, who heard it, stretched out her hand, and pa.s.sed it caressingly along the side of his face. He caught it and covered it with kisses.
"Paul, we have been happy together, have we not?"
"My darling, you know it!"
She raised herself a little, and spoke earnestly. "For me--it has been like heaven--and yet I am not sure--that it would have lasted.
You would have wearied soon! My nature is too light a one to have satisfied you always. I have felt it! I--I know it!"
She paused, struggling for breath. He did not answer her. He only held her tighter, and whispered her name lovingly. In a moment she re-opened her eyes.
"So--it is best--" she continued, with a little more effort. "Paul, things seem all so clear--to me now! I think of you in the future--it must be a happy future, Paul--I know it will! I see you the master of that grand old home of yours, up amongst the moors you love so much.
I can see you there in the future, living your quiet, country life--always the same, honourable and just. I like to think of you there--it is so natural. I want you--to forget--these days then!
Remember that it was--I--who--came to you, Paul! You had no--choice.
I would come. If there has been--any sin--it has been--mine only. You were far above--poor me! I have dragged you down--a little way--but you will go back again! You will marry--some one good and worthy of you. It is my--last wish! G.o.d bless you, Paul, dear--dear, Paul. I think that I am--going now--kiss me!"
"My love! My love! Oh! that you could live to be happy with me once more!"
"There are steps upon the stairs--I think--but they come--too late!
The book on the table--take it! It will--tell you--what you do not know--of my life! Farewell! Sister Elise! Is that you? Ah! back once more--in the old convent garden! How sweet--and gentle--the air is--and what perfumes! You here, Paul! You too! How dim your face seems--and yet--how happy it makes me--to see it. Dear Paul! we have been--so happy! Farewell!"
There were strangers in the room, but they came too late. They found only the corpse of a woman, whose dead lips were parted in a strangely sweet smile, and a strong man who had swooned by her side in the utter abandonment of his grief. The hand of human justice had been stayed by G.o.d"s mercy!
THE END.