Nay, it _was_ the head of a dog, and one she knew well, Anthony's dog, that had died upon his bed.

Now she was sure that she dreamed, and in her dream she tried to speak to the dog.
The words that her mind formed were: "Nell! Is that you, Nell ?" but she could not utter them.
Still they were answered, for it appeared to her that the dog thought, and that she could read its thought, which was: "Yes, it is I, who though but a dog, having been the last to leave you, am allowed to be the first to greet you," and it lifted its head and looked at her with eyes full of a wonderful love.
Her heart went out towards the faithful beast in a kind of rapture, and her intelligence formed another question, it was: "Where am I, and if you, a creature, are here, where are the others ?" "Be patient.

I only watch you till they come," was the answer.
"Till they come.

Till who come ?" she murmured.
Something within told her to inquire no more.

But oh! was it possible -- was the earth dream coming true?
A long while went by.