I was full of sweet anticipation and passionate longing--I yearned to clasp my beloved Nina in my arms--to see her lovely lustrous eyes looking fondly into mine--I was eager to shake Guido by the hand--and as for Stella, I knew the child would be in bed at that hour, but still, I thought, I must have her wakened to see me.

I felt that my happiness would not be complete till I had kissed her little cherub face, and caressed those clustering curls of hers that were like spun gold.
Hush--hush! What was that?
I stopped in my rapid progress as though suddenly checked by an invisible hand.

I listened with strained ears.
That sound--was it not a rippling peal of gay sweet laughter?
A shiver shook me from head to foot.

It was my wife's laugh--I knew the silvery chime of it well! My heart sunk coldly--I paused irresolute.

She could laugh then like that, while she thought me lying dead--dead and out of her reach forever! All at once I perceived the glimmer of a white robe through the trees; obeying my own impulse, I stepped softly aside--I hid behind a dense screen of foliage through which I could see without being seen.