Once more the solemn question:
"You, who would see revealed the mysteries of the tomb—what do you see now?"
The student answered, in a calm voice, but like that of a man describing things as they pass before him:
"I see the cloud taking the form of a phantom; its head is covered with a long vail—it stands still."
"Are you afraid?"
"I am not."
We looked at each other in horror-stricken silence, while the merchant, raising his arms above his head, chanted, in a sepulchral voice:
"And the phantom said, as he rose from the wave,
He shall know me in sooth!
I will go to my friend, gay, smiling, and fond,
As in our first youth!"
"What do you see?" said he.
"I see the phantom advance; he lifts his vail—'tis Francis Villiers!—he approaches the table—he writes!—'tis his signature!"