She had scarcely risen before an aristocratic young man fell on his knees before her.
"My Selina!" "Edgardo! You here ?" "Yes, dearest." "And--you--you--have--seen nothing ?" said the lady in an agitated voice and nervous manner, turning her face aside to conceal her emotion.
"Nothing--that is nothing of any account," said Edgardo.

"I passed the ghost of your aunt in the park, noticed the spectre of your uncle in the ruined keep, and observed the familiar features of the spirit of your great-grandfather at his usual post.

But nothing beyond these trifles, my Selina.

Nothing more, love, absolutely nothing." The young man turned his dark liquid orbs fondly upon the ingenuous face of his betrothed.
"My own Edgardo!--and you still love me?
You still would marry me in spite of this dark mystery which surrounds me?
In spite of the fatal history of my race?
In spite of the ominous predictions of my aged nurse ?" "I would, Selina"; and the young man passed his arm around her yielding waist.

The two lovers gazed at each other's faces in unspeakable bliss.