For the last few days a wonderful alteration had taken place in Auriol's manner, and he seemed to have shaken off altogether the cloud that had hitherto sat upon his spirits. Enchanted by the change, Ebba indulged in the most blissful anticipations of the future. One evening they walked forth together, and almost unconsciously directed their steps towards the river. Lingering on its banks, they gazed on the full tide, admired the glorious sunset, and breathed over and over again those tender nothings so eloquent in lovers' ears. "Oh! how different you are from what you were a week ago," said Ebba playfully. "Promise me not to indulge in any more of those gloomy fancies." "I will not indulge in them if I can help it, rest assured, sweet Ebba," he replied. "But my spirits are not always under my control. I am surprised at my own cheerfulness this evening." "I never felt so happy," she replied; "and the whole scene is in unison with my feelings. How soothing is the calm river flowing at our feet!--how tender is the warm sky, still flushed with red, though the sun has set!--And see, yonder hangs the crescent moon. She is in her first quarter." "The moon in her first quarter!" cried Auriol, in a tone of anguish. "All then is over." "What means this sudden change?" cried Ebba, frightened by his looks. "Oh, Ebba," he replied, "I must leave you. I have allowed myself to dream of happiness too long. I am an accursed being, doomed only to bring misery upon those who love me. I warned you on the onset, but you would not believe me. Let me go, and perhaps it may not yet be too late to save you." "Oh no, do not leave me!" cried Ebba. "I have no fear while you are with me." "But you do not know the terrible fate I am linked to," he said. "This is the night when it will be accomplished." "Your moody fancies do not alarm me as they used to do, dear Auriol," she rejoined, "because I know them to be the fruit of a diseased imagination. Come, let us continue our walk," she added, taking his arm kindly. "Ebba," he cried, "I implore you to let me go! I have not the power to tear myself away unless you aid me." "I'm glad to hear it," she rejoined, "for then I shall hold you fast." "You know not what you do!" cried Auriol. "Release me! oh, release me!" "In a few moments the fit will be passed," she rejoined. "Let us walk towards the abbey." "It is in vain to struggle against fate," ejaculated Auriol despairingly. And he suffered himself to be led in the direction proposed.