For she of all his hearers knows the purport of his speech.

“This[257] proves my husband’s innocence! Thank God for what you’ve said!”

And she turns to the lonely passenger, only to find him dead.

*  *  *  *  *

Softly the sunbeams golden steal[258] by a prison bar

Lighting an empty dungeon whose iron door stands ajar;[259]

And the same sun lights a cottage,[260] with a warm and cheery glow,

Where three fond hearts united, with rapture overflow:

“O, husband,” the woman whispers, “I knew that you told me true;”

And he smiles and gently answers, “let us our vows renew;