It was a circular plot in the thicket, and out of its centre rose an immense pine, whose upper branches wholly obscured the sky.

My uncle hung his lantern on a knot protruding from the trunk of the tree, and slowly knelt upon the ground, covering his face with his hands.

Suddenly he beckoned to me, and I knelt down beside him.
"Listen!" said he.

"Do you hear voices?
She comes to me here.

Can you see her--my wife?
Look about you, do you not see her ?" He laid his trembling hand upon my shoulder.