re those of some
graceful naiad, cleaving, by a mere effort of her will, the clear,
unruffled waters that fill the chambers of the sea. She floated forth
with the serene grace of a frail bubble ascending through the still
atmosphere of a June day. The perfect roundness of her limbs formed
suave and enchanting curves. It was like listening to the most spiritual
symphony of Beethoven the divine, to watch the harmonious flow of lines.
This, indeed was a pleasure cheaply purchased at any price. What cared
I if I had waded to the portal of this wonder through another's blood.
I would have given my own to enjoy one such moment of intoxication and
delight.

Breathless with gazing on this lovely wonder, and forgetful for an
instant of everything save her presence, I withdrew my eye from the
microscope eagerly. Alas! as my gaze fell on the thin slide that lay
beneath my instrument, the bright light from mirror and from prism
sparkled on a colorless drop of water! There, in that tiny bead of dew,
this beautiful being was forever imprisoned. The planet Neptune was not
more distant from me than she. I hastened once more to apply my eye to
the microscope.

Animula (let me now call her by that dear name which I subsequently
bestowed on her) had changed her position. She had again approached the
wondrous forest, and was gazing earnestly upward. Presently one of the
trees--as I must call them--unfolded a long ciliary process, with which
it seized one of the gleaming fruits that glittered on its summit, and,
sweeping slowly down, held it within reach of Animula. The sylph took
it in her delicate hand and began to eat. My attention was so entirely
absorbed by her that I could not apply myself to the task of determining
whether this singular plant was or was not instinct with volition.

I watched her, as she made her repast, with the most profound attention.
THe suppleness of her motions sent a thrill of delight through my frame;
my heart beat madly as she turned her beautiful eyes in the direction of
the spot in which I stood. What would I not have given to have had the
power to precipitate myself into that luminous ocean and float with her
through those grooves of purple and gold! While I was thus breathlessly
following her every movement, she suddenly started, seemed to listen
for a moment, and then cleaving the brilliant ether in which she was
floating, like a flash of light, pierced through the opaline forest and
disappeared.

I