"If to heaven my eyes I raise, In some cloud-shape, outlined faintly, I behold my dear one's face Smiling with his smile so saintly; If my glance wanders o'er the ocean's wave, I seem to see him beckoning from the grave. "If my eyes in slumber close, I can hear his dear voice calling; And my soul with rapture glows At his soft touch so lightly falling Upon my cheek. Thus is he near me ever, Whether I toil or rest; nor can grim Death us sever. "Have done, O Muse, with thy sad strain! What boots it to be ever singing? Yet of my song, this sweet refrain Is ever in my ears ringing: The love that's true, with adoration blending, In absence loseth nought; its growth is never ending."] [Footnote 11: "Farewell to thee, thou pleasant shore, The loved, the cherished home to me, Of infant joy a dream that's o'er! Farewell, dear France! farewell to thee! "The sail that wafts me bears away From thee but half my soul alone: Its fellow-half will fondly stay, And back to thee has faithful flown. "I trust it to thy gentle care; For all that here remains with me Lives but to think of all that's there, To love and to remember thee."] [Footnote 12: It is impossible to translate this passage so as adequately to convey the meaning of the text, "on avait pris terre par un _brouillard_ dans un pays _brouillé_ et _brouillon_."--TRANSLATOR.] CONCLUSION Gabriel did not reach St. Quentin until August 16. At the entrance to the town he found Jean Peuquoy awaiting him. "Ah, here you are at last, Monsieur le Comte!" cried the honest weaver. "I was sure that you would come! But you are too late, alas! too late!" "What! too late?" asked Gabriel, in alarm. "Alas! yes. Did not Madame Diane de Castro in her letter ask you to be here yesterday, the 15th?" "To be sure," said Gabriel; "but no particular stress was laid upon the date, nor did Madame de Castro say why she desired my presence." "Well, Monsieur le Comte," rejoined Jean, "yesterday was the day on which Madame de Castro--I should say, Sister Bénie--pronounced the words which make her a nun forever, with no possibility of returning to the world." "Ah!" said Gabriel, turning pale. "Whereas, if you had been at hand," continued Jean, "you might perhaps have been able to prevent what is now an accomplished fact."