Events like these have a saddening influence on the mind, and the gloom for Conrad's sudden death hung heavy o'er us--Ella's mourning was long and deep. I was not grieved to see it, for sorrow makes the spirit wiser.
Three years passed away--little change had been among us, save that some of our aged were gone, and the young had risen around us. Once more it was the first of May--the night was dark and still, but the silvery sounds of the waging earth came like balm o'er the soul--there was a murmur in the forest, as though one heard the song of the young leaves bursting into life, and the glad gushing of the springing streams rose with them. The memory of other days was floating o'er my mind, when a soft voice broke on my reverie. Her thoughts had been with mine--"Ethel," said she, "remember you, how on such a night as this, you once sought my love. Alas! how little knew I then of my own heart--your's it should then have been--you know the shades that have passed over it. Is Ella's love a worthless gift, or will you accept it now as freely as 'tis offered. How long and sternly must we be trained e'er love's young dream can be forgotten." The events that intervened all passed away, and Ella was again the same maiden that stood with me so long ago by the streamlet's side on Walburga's eve. My heart's long silenced music once more rung forth its melody at her sweet words, and life again was bright with the gems of hope and fond affection.