Page:German Stories (Volumes 2–3).djvu/402

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212
The Spectre Bride.

he replied; ‘only dont let her go with us into the church!’ added he, when we arrived at the door. ‘Certainly not,’ said I, and, to the great astonishment of the bride’s parents, I made gestures as if I were ordering some one away. In the church we found Felippo’s father, on whom his son looked as if he were taking leave of him for ever. Camilla sobbed aloud, and when the bridegroom called out,—‘So, then, this strange woman has come in with us after all;’—it was thought doubtful whether, under such circumstances, the marriage could be performed. Camilla, however, said in her changeless affection, ‘Nay, nay—since he is in this unhappy state, he has the more need of my care and constant presence.’

“Now they drew near to the altar, where a gust of wind suddenly extinguished the candles. The priest was angry that the sacristan had not closed the windows; but Felippo exclaimed, ‘the windows indeed! Do you not see who stands here, and who just now carefully and designedly extinguished the lights?’ Every one looked confounded, but Felippo went on hastily, breaking away from his bride. ‘Do you not see, too, who is just forcing me away from Camilla?’—At these