“He wants you,” the young man said, and pressed the hand of each as they passed by him, then went down to his gondola. A moment later they heard the ripple of his passage across the lagoon.
Tacita knelt beside her grandfather and took his hand in hers. He drew her, and she put her face close to his.
“Dost thou remember all, my child?” he whispered.
“I remember all!” she whispered back.
“Thou wilt be strong and faithful?” he asked in the same tone.
“I will be strong and faithful,” she answered.
He said no more. His breath fluttered on her cheek, and seemed to stop.
“Elena!” she cried.
After bending for a moment over the bed, the nurse had gone to the window, and stepped out into the balcony. She returned at that frightened call, and knelt by the bed.
In the silence that followed, a gondola slipped under the balcony; and presently there rose from it a singing voice, low toned, but impassioned and distinct. It sang:—