University of Virginia Library

4. IV.

YEARS ago this oak had been struck by lightning; its top was shivered and entirely blasted, but the trunk had still vigor for coming centuries. As I approached, a filmy cloud drew over the moon; blackest shadow lay under the broad branches. At first I was not conscious of anything unusual, but as I glanced to one side my heart throbbed—a white form was standing motionless by a tall sapling between me and the tree. My hair stood on end, but I plucked up courage and walked steadily on.

Yes, it was she, my nightly visitant. As I drew near, the moon shone out in full splendor. The figure seemed woven, as it were, out of a half transparent milky cloud; through the face I could see a twig that stirred with the wind, only the hair and the eyes were of a somewhat darker coloring, and on one finger of the folded hands I saw the faint glimmer of a narrow ring. I remained standing before it and attempted to speak to it, but my voice died in my throat; although I was no longer sensible of fear. Its glance was full upon me, the expression was neither of grief nor of gladness but a rigid, unlife-like attention. I waited to be addressed, but it kept immovable and silent with its death-like stare fixed on me. Again I felt my self-possession failing.

"I am come," I said at last with a mighty effort. My voice was hollow and unnatural.

"I love you," returned a whisper.

"You love me?" I asked in amazement.

"Give yourself to me," was answered, still in the same tone.

"Give myself to you? You are only a ghost. You have no bodily existence." A peculiar excitement had taken possession of me. "What are you? Smoke—air—vapor? Give myself up to you? First answer me—who are you? Have you lived on earth? And whence do you now come?"

"Give yourself to me. I will do you no ill. Say but two words: 'take me.'"

I looked at it attentively. "What is it talking about?" I thought. "What does it all mean? How can it take me? Shall I venture?"

"Very good," I answered so that it should hear, with unexpected loudness indeed as if some one had hit me from behind, "Take me!"

I had hardly pronounced the syllables when the form bent forward with a smile so that the features trembled for a moment, and slowly extended its arms. I would fain have drawn back but found it already out of my power. It twined about me, my body was caught up a yard from the ground, and gently and not too rapidly I floated over the still and dewy grass.