“Well, it is all about a strange dream that I had last night, and you will say that I am superstitious if I tell it to you.”
“Come, now, do not delay any longer, but tell it to me at once; my curiosity is excited.”
“It appeared to me as follows:
“I seemed to be walking by the side of a lake, when, suddenly, a shriek, which fairly chilled my blood, filled the air, and then I thought I saw you rush past me, dressed in white, and crying, help! help! help!
“Approaching the water you sprung into a canoe and pushed far away from the shore. I could neither move nor speak to you, and my agony was killing me. The canoe began to float, I thought, bearing you with it. Then I was trying to swim to you, when, in a moment, the boat mysteriously disappeared. I was paralyzed, and looking down into the clear water, I thought I saw you lying upon the bottom.
“At this moment some one behind me laughed—laughed as only a fiend could laugh. Turning around, I thought I saw my own image, and I started back a step. The apparition approached, and pointing down at you, said: ‘Look, look, this shall be your grave also! Beware of your shadow!’ and then it vanished.
“I awoke. Cold perspiration stood in great beads upon my forehead. You will tell me that I ought not to let this trouble me, as it was only a dream; nevertheless, I can not help it; it has taken a strong hold upon me, and I can not shake it off.”
“It was strange,” mused Imogene. “I hope nothing will happen to you, Edgar, for if I could hear that you were—well, never mind what—I should die with grief.”
The couple now observed that there was a light in the cottage.
“I must go now,” said Imogene, starting up, half-affrighted lest her father should miss her.