He was once more on the sands of Mariana. He saw the great white stone house on the hill and the form of Morgianna descending toward the seashore. He knew he had been gone for years, was conscious that their parting had been unpleasant, and yet her appearance seemed to inspire his heart with hope. The sun's golden rays fell upon the bright, fairy-like being as, with a glad smile she hastened toward him.
"You have come at last," she said, with a happy smile. "I have waited so long, oh, so long, that I feared you would never come."
"Morgianna!" he cried, starting forward and clasping her in his arms. "Are you pleased to see me?"
"I am happy, Fernando, oh, so happy----"
Then he was partially awakened by some one throwing logs of wood on the fire, and he had an indistinct impression of hearing a soldier say:
"It's four o'clock and has begun to snow a little. We'll have it cold as blazes by morning."
As the fire roared, and the wind whistled about their miserable barracks, he sank away into dreamland again. He had hardly been sufficiently awakened to break the thread of his dreams. His mind however was disturbed by the entrance of the officer, and though he wooed back the gentle dream, it had lost much of its charm and brightness.
He saw Morgianna no longer wreathed in sweet smiles; her face was expressive of distress and agony. The joy and sunlight had given place to sorrow and gloom. What had occasioned this change?
"Morgianna, do you not love me?"
She bowed her head and wept.