"She will soon answer before a higher tribunal," said the monk of Aurillac.
"Father," she whispered, holding the hands of the corpse in her own, while her head rested on her arms,—"I cannot see,—stoop down,—and let me whisper—"
"I am here, daughter, close—quite close to you."
He inclined his ear to her mouth and listened. But though her lips moved, no words would come.
After a moment or two of intense stillness, she whispered, raising her head.
"It is bright again! They are calling me! We will go together to that far, distant land of peace. I am with you, Otto—hold me up, I cannot breathe—"
Gently Sylvester lifted her head.
"Otto,—my own love—forgive—" she gasped. A convulsive shudder passed through her body and she fell lifeless over the dead body of her victim.
Stephania's proud spirit had flown.
Sylvester muttered the prayer for the departed, and staggered to his feet.