But these are precious moments; devil as I am become, yet that is my Mathilda before me whom I love as one was never before loved: and she knows it now; she listens to these words which I thought, fool as I was, would blast her to death.

Come, come, the worst is past: no more grief, tears or despair; were not those the words you uttered ?--We have leapt the chasm I told you of, and now, mark me, Mathilda, we are to find flowers, and verdure and delight, or is it hell, and fire, and tortures?
Oh! Beloved One, I am borne away; I can no longer sustain myself; surely this is death that is coming.

Let me lay my head near your heart; let me die in your arms!"-- He sunk to the earth fainting, while I, nearly as lifeless, gazed on him in despair.
Yes it was despair I felt; for the first time that phantom seized me; the first and only time for it has never since left me--After the first moments of speechless agony I felt her fangs on my heart: I tore my hair; I raved aloud; at one moment in pity for his sufferings I would have clasped my father in my arms; and then starting back with horror I spurned him with my foot; I felt as if stung by a serpent, as if scourged by a whip of scorpions which drove me--Ah! Whither--Whither?
Well, this could not last.

One idea rushed on my mind; never, never may I speak to him again.

As this terrible conviction came upon _him_ [_me_ ?] it melted my soul to tenderness and love--I gazed on him as to take my last farewell--he lay insensible--his eyes closed as [_and_ ?] his cheeks deathly pale.