Visions of old time floated in my soul. I inquired hastily: "Did Mr. Jones give you his signature?" He smiled: "With so good a friend it was not necessary."--"Where is he--where? By Heavens I will know!" He put his hand slowly into his pocket, and drew out by the hair the pale and ghastly form of Thomas Jones. Its blue and deadly lips trembled with the dreadful words: "_Justo judicio Dei judicatus sum_; _justo judicio Dei condemnatus sum_." I was horror-struck--I dashed the clinking purse hastily into the abyss, and uttered these last words, "I conjure thee, in the name of God, monster, begone, and never again appear before these eyes." He rose up with a gloomy frown, and vanished instantaneously behind the dark masses of rock which surrounded that wild and savage place. CHAPTER IX. I sat there shadowless and penniless: but a heavy weight had been removed from my bosom, and I was calm. Had I not lost my love, or had that loss left me free from self-reproach, I believe I might have been happy; but I knew not what steps I should take. I searched my pockets, and found that a few pieces of gold remained to me; I counted them smilingly. I had left my horse at the inn below. I was ashamed to return there, at least till the setting of the sun--and the sun was high in the heavens. I laid myself down in the shade of a neighbouring tree, and fell quietly asleep. The sweetest images danced cheerfully around me in my delightful dreams. Mina, crowned with a garland of flowers, hovered over me, and cheered me with an affectionate smile. The noble Bendel was there, too, weaving a flowery wreath, and approaching me with a friendly greeting. Many others also were there, and among them methought I saw even thee, Chamisso, in the distant crowd. A bright light shone, but there were no shadows; and, what was more singular, all appeared happy--flowers and songs, and love and joy, under groves of palms. I could hardly realize, understand, or point out the flitting, swiftly dispersed, and lovely forms; but I enjoyed such visions, I would fain not awake--but I awoke,--though I kept my eyes closed, that the vanishing dreams might play a little longer round my soul.