To which Gottfried replied, "But it has a lovely ending!"
The sad maiden, however, was perfectly silent, and looking into her melancholy eyes he discerned a doubt in them if even the joy of heaven could compensate for that which we suffer and are deprived of on earth.
After a little while Blanche began, "Is the dear God then displeased if an angel looking down yearns for the earth?"
"No," murmured Gottfried, "but he is sad, very sad!"
X
For two nights she had had no sleep; on the third she was exhausted and slept soundly, and dreamed a sweet--wonderfully sweet dream.
It seemed to her that she met her beloved in the garden. A delicious perfume was wafted from the crown of the lindens, soft greenish shadows spread twilight over the earth, and all nature, as in measureless rapture, held its breath, no lightest touch of air stirred--she lay in his arms, love-enchanted and his lips closed her mouth.
Thus she dreamed--when suddenly she sprang up as if one had struck her heart with an iron hammer.
Was not that the sound of a horse's hoof which broke on the stillness of night? In her long white nightdress she flew to the window.
She recognised him, notwithstanding the speed of his horse, and in spite of the curtain of darkness with which midnight sought to veil his figure. She bent far over the window-breasting and stretched out her arms; a frightful longing confused her senses, and she sang--poor child!--without knowing what the words meant: