Yet in Von Steinberg’s sight, she appeared more interesting now than she had done for a long time past. He gently raised her swollen hand and held it between his warm palms. How cold and heavy and sodden it felt, almost as if she were already a corpse. The livid face did not repulse him, as it had done when Leonora’s evil spirit animated it! It awoke no feeling in his breast but pity for a young life so spoilt and mis-used for the sake of others. He resolved that if she recovered he would take her away to some place far from London, and the inquisitiveness of strangers, and see if he could not contrive to let her pass the remainder of her life in peace and quietness, as Hannah Stubbs, ignorant and uncouth perhaps, but refreshingly simple and pure, after the experience he had lately had with her. The time passed on, but the Baron still kept his place by the bedside. The servants came up to announce that his dinner was ready, but he declined to partake of it--the housekeeper begged her master to let her take his place if only for a few minutes, but he shook his head and told her to leave him to himself. The dusk deepened and they offered him lights--he said he preferred to sit in the dark till the nurse arrived. So the door was closed and he remained there by himself, musing sadly on the events of the day. Suddenly, when he had spent some fifteen or twenty minutes in these reflections, not knowing how time went, he mechanically raised his eyes, and perceived, standing at the foot of the bed, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her unbound hair, black as the raven’s wing, fell in thick masses below her waist--her large luminous eyes glowed like two fires--her white arms and hands were stretched towards him--whilst her gaze was wistful and melancholy. He stared at her in return, wondering who she could be, and whence she had come. Gradually, as he was looking at her, and just about to speak, he saw the melancholy look on her face change to a bewitching smile, the eyes sparkled like diamonds, the features assumed an arch expression--she changed from an angel to a devil--_it was Leonora!_ Von Steinberg felt murderous--had she been mortal, he would have killed her! “What are you here for?” he exclaimed. “Have you come to gloat over your cruel work? Get out of my sight, I command you, and never dare to trouble her or me again!” Leonora gave her mocking smile as answer. The Baron felt in despair. “God Almighty!” he cried, clasping his hands and looking upwards, “deliver me and mine from the power of this mocking devil!” As he pronounced the words, with all the fervour of which his soul was capable, the Spirit gave a shriek, and flew like lightning down the stairs. The sound was heard all over the house, and the housekeeper appeared again to inquire if her ladyship had stirred. “No! Mrs. Marston,” replied the Baron, sorrowfully, “she lies in exactly the same state. I am beginning to give up all hope!”