and silenced his voice; mental consciousness alone
was left him, yet his mind was a prey to terror.

At length these painful sensations subsided--his nerves became more
braced, his breath came more freely, a pleasing languor crept over his
limbs, and he fell into a peaceful sleep. When he awoke it was already
broad daylight; his sleep toward the end of the night had been
quiet and refreshing. He felt strong and well, but as soon as the
recollection of his dream returned, a deep melancholy took possession
of him, and he felt the traces of tears which grief had wrung from
him on his eyelashes. But what had the vision been? A mere dream
engendered by the conversation of the evening, and his affection for
Hallberg's memory, or was it at length the fulfillment of the compact?

There, out of that dark corner, had the form risen up, and moved
toward him. But might it not have been the effect of light and shade
produced by the moonbeams, and the dark branches of a large tree close
to the window, when agitated by the high wind? Perhaps he had seen
this, and then fallen asleep, and all combined, had woven itself into
a dream. But the name of Emily Varnier! Edward did not remember ever
to have heard it; certainly it had never been mentioned in Ferdinand's
letters. Could it be the name of his love, of the object of that
ardent and unfortunate passion? Could the vision be one of truth? He
was meditating, lost in thought, when there was a knock at his door,
and the servant entered. Edward rose hastily, and sprang out of
bed. As he did so, he heard something fall with a ringing sound;
the servant stooped and picked up a gold ring, plain gold, like a
wedding-ring. Edward shuddered: he snatched it from the servant's
hand, and the color forsook his cheeks as he read the two words
"Emily Varnier" engraved inside the hoop. He stood there like one
thunderstruck, as pale as a corpse, with the proof in his hand that
he had not merely dreamed, but had actually spoken with the spirit
of his friend. A servant of the household came in to ask whether the
Lieutenant wished to breakfast in his room, or down stairs with the
family. Edward would willingly have remained alone with the thoughts
that pressed heavily on him, but a secret dread lest his absence
should be remarked, and considered as a proof of fear, after all
that had passed on the subject of the haunted room, determined him
to accept the proposal. He dressed hastily, and arranged his hai