Yes, it was Ruth, little altered from when I had seen her last, except that she looked thin and pale, oh! so pale.
She was not like anyone dead; in spite of her stony stillness, there was the shadow of colour upon her thin cheeks.
I looked at her like one entranced, then glanced fearfully around the vault, which was only faintly lit by the flickering candle burning in my lantern.
A longing came over me to get away, but I felt I dare not, I must remain longer with Ruth. I felt that she was glad I was there, and would not have me leave her so soon.
Yet she lay like a beautiful piece of marble. Her hands were folded on her breast, and she looked peaceful, so peaceful.
How I loved her, and how I longed for one word, one movement whereby I could know she loved me!
I do not know how long I stayed there. I lost all thought of time as I stood gazing at the face of my darling. Everything like fear passed, for in spirit I was with her.
I kissed her cold lips, as if to bid her good-bye, then seeing the candle in my lantern had burnt low, I began to think in a dazed kind of way that I must go. But it was so hard, so terrible! If I could only have some memento to take, something I might aways keep until I, too, should be laid under the cold sod!
What was that?
Flashing from her finger that lay on her heart I saw a ring. Dare I take it?