"It is not my wishes to act foolish, marser; but it's enough to
constunnate the sensoriest person to be tumbled in upon dis way at dis
hour ob de night by a whole raft of strangers--men, and women, and dogs,
and cats, and birds included!" mumbled Jovial, as he went to do his
errand.
But his services as gentleman usher seemed not to be needed by the
stranger, for as he left the drawing-room a lady entered, followed by a
waiting maid.
The lady was clothed in deep mourning, with a thick crape veil
concealing her face.
As Herman advanced to welcome her she threw aside her veil, revealing a
pale, sad, young face, shaded by thick curls of glossy black hair.
At the sight of that face the young man started back, the pallor of
death overspreading his countenance as he sunk upon the nearest sofa,
breathing in a dying voice: "Berenice! You here! Is it you? Oh, Heaven have pity on us!"
"Phoebe, go and find out the housekeeper, explain who I am, and have
my luggage taken up to my apartment. Then order tea in this room," said
the lady, perhaps with the sole view of getting rid of her attendant;
for as soon as the latter had withdrawn she threw oft her bonnet, went
to the overwhelmed young man, sat down beside him, put her arms around
him, and drew his head down to meet her own, as she said, caressingly: "You did not expect me, love? And my arrival here overcomes you."
"I thought you had been killed in that railway collision," came in
hoarse and guttural tones from a throat that seemed suddenly parched to
ashes.
"Poor Herman! and you had rallied from that shock of grief; but was not
strong enough to sustain a shock of joy! I ought not to have given you
this surprise! But try now to compose yourself, and give me welcome. I
am here; alive, warm, loving, hungry even! a woman, and no specter risen
from the grave, although you look at me just as if I were one! Dear
Herman, kiss me! I have come a long way to join you!" she said, in a
voice softer than the softest notes of the cushat dove.
"How was it that you were not killed?" demanded the young man, with the
manner of one who exacted an apology for a grievous wrong.
"My dearest Herman, I came very near being crushed to death; all that
were in the same carriage with me perished. I was so seriously injured
that I was reported among the killed; but the report was contradicted in
the next day's paper."