Pressing her tenderly in his arms, he bowed his head upon her shoulder and wept--wept bitterly.

But they were tears of delight, of ecstasy--tears such as mortals weep when they have no words to express their joy.

Tears such as are rarely shed on earth.
Yet no.

He would not weep, for tears will dim her image.

He wished to see her, imprint her face deep, deep upon his heart that it might still live there while he died.
He took the beautiful, beloved head between his hands and gazed at it with a happy smile.
"Have you risen upon me again, my heavenly stars?
Do you shine on me once more, ere I enter eternal night ?" Bending lower he kissed her eyes and again gazed at her, smiling.
"Why do your lips quiver?
Why do they utter no word of love?
Oh, let me break the seal of silence which closes them." Bending again to the beloved face which rested in his hands, he kissed the lips.
"Speak, my Leonore, speak! Bid me a last farewell; tell me that you will always love me, that you will never forget me, though I must leave you." "No, no," she cried exultingly, "no, you will not leave me, you will stay with me." Releasing herself and gazing at him with her large flashing eyes she repeated: "You will stay with me." "Oh, my sweet love, I cannot! They have sentenced me to death.