When the two reached the courtyard they were conscious that they had neither the faculty nor the strength to enter the house.
"What think you of her ?" asked Wilfrid.
"See that radiance!" cried Minna, going towards the window of the salon.
"He is there! How beautiful! O my Seraphitus, take me!" The exclamation was uttered inwardly.

She saw Seraphitus standing erect, lightly swathed in an opal-tinted mist that disappeared at a little distance from the body, which seemed almost phosphorescent.
"How beautiful she is!" cried Wilfrid, mentally.
Just then Monsieur Becker arrived, followed by David; he saw his daughter and guest standing before the window; going up to them, he looked into the salon and said quietly, "Well, my good David, she is only saying her prayers." "Ah, but try to enter, Monsieur." "Why disturb those who pray ?" answered the pastor.
At this instant the moon, rising above the Falberg, cast its rays upon the window.

All three turned round, attracted by this natural effect which made them quiver; when they turned back to again look at Seraphita she had disappeared.
"How strange!" exclaimed Wilfrid.
"I hear delightful sounds," said Minna.
"Well," said the pastor, "it is all plain enough; she is going to bed." David had entered the house.

The others took their way back in silence; none of them interpreted the vision in the same manner,--Monsieur Becker doubted, Minna adored, Wilfrid longed.
Wilfrid was a man about thirty-six years of age.

His figure, though broadly developed, was not wanting in symmetry.