I have received absolution.

Now go to your rest.

Good night," said the banker, bending and kissing her forehead.
"Dear, dearest father! bless your daughter before she goes," said Salome, in a voice thrilling with emotion, as she raised from her seat and knelt at her father's feet.
The old man laid his hand upon her bowed head and solemnly invoked a blessing upon her.
"May the Lord look down on you, my daughter.

May He give you health and grace to bear your burdens and do your duties as wife and mother, and save and bless you and yours, now and ever more, for Christ's dear sake.
AMEN." She arose in silence from her knees, put her arms around his neck, kissed him, and glided from the room.
And now a terrible and mysterious thing happened to the bride-elect.
The lights had been turned very low in the hall.

The household had all retired to rest.