For I was certain that this desire of death, having once taken hold of him, would grow and grow, until at length it became too strong, and then--then I should wither and die who could not live on alone.

In my despair I threw out my soul towards that of her who was departed.
"Ayesha!" I cried, "if you have any power, if in any way it is permitted, show that you still live, and save your lover from this sin and me from a broken heart.

Have pity on his sorrow and breathe hope into his spirit, for without hope Leo cannot live, and without him I shall not live." Then, worn out, I slept.
I was aroused by the voice of Leo speaking to me in low, excited tones through the darkness.
"Horace," he said, "Horace, my friend, my father, listen!" In an instant I was wide awake, every nerve and fibre of me, for the tones of his voice told me that something had happened which bore upon our destinies.
"Let me light a candle first," I said.
"Never mind the candle, Horace; I would rather speak in the dark.

I went to sleep, and I dreamed the most vivid dream that ever came to me.

I seemed to stand under the vault of heaven, it was black, black, not a star shone in it, and a great loneliness possessed me.