back, and there were no roses blooming on the flower-stand. _Henri_ felt strangely oppressed. The gloomy silence ill suited his mood. A glimmer of light and a dull murmur of voices penetrated through a door which was partly ajar. He opened it, and stood as if rooted to the spot. Several women were engaged in dressing a corpse. _Henri_ pressed his hand to his brow; was he awake, or did some dream torture him with its sudden changes, in order to show him in a single hour the splendor of the world and the end of all lives? Just at that moment Cornelia, who had been completely absorbed in her mournful occupation, suddenly perceived him, came forward in her mourning robes, looking very pale and languid, and drew him aside. "My dear Cornelia," said _Henri_, kissing her tearful eyes, "what has happened since yesterday? I can scarcely trust my senses. What a contrast!" "Ah, _Heinrich_ thank God, you have come at last! Ever since early this morning I have borne this terrible sorrow alone, longing in vain for your warm heart. Alas, how heavily such an unexpected blow falls!" "My poor, sweet love, you are trembling as if in an ague-fit! Who would have thought of this? Kind Veronica dead!" She nestled timidly in his arms. "_Heinrich_, my heart aches terribly, and besides I feel this horror of death. You do not know what it is to dress a cold body which is no longer the dear one it personates." "Then leave the others to finish the task, and stay with me, my angel." "We have finished it, and they want to bring her in here. You must go into the tea-room, or they will see you." "Willingly. But now leave everything to these women and come with me. You are completely worn out." "Yes, I will stay with you. I can no longer be a witness," said Cornelia; then gave the necessary orders to the servants, and went into the tea-room with _Henri_. They had scarcely entered it when they heard pieces of furniture pushed aside, and the creaking of the coffin, which, when once heard, is never forgotten. Cornelia trembled violently, sank down beside _Henri_, and bursting into tears, hid her face upon his breast until the noise was over. Then she looked up. "You think me very weak, do you not? I have kept up all day, but now my strength is exhausted; terror has overpowered me." _Henri_ gently raised her and drew her on his knee. She made no resistance, but threw her arms around his neck; her head sank wearily upon his shoulder, and joy and sorrow, deadly horror and sweet content, began to mingle strangely. "Oh, do not give way!" said _Henri_ to himself, while his throbbing heart seemed ready to burst. He cradled her in his arms as if she had been a child, and breathed upon her cold hands.