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at me wistfully, and with a certain trepidation in his voice.
"'And you have to go?'
"'I suppose I must,' said he, with a mournful sadness in his eyes.
"'Is it so distasteful to you?'
"'Distasteful is not the word; it is unbearable. This is the first parting, and'
"'Yes, but only for a day or two.'
"'A day or two,' added he, gloomily, 'is the space that divides life from death:—
"It is the little rift within the lute,
That by-and-by will make the music mute,
And ever widening slowly silence all."'
"'Teleny, you have had for some days a weight on your mind—something that I cannot fathom. Will you not tell your friend what it is?'
"He opened his eyes widely, as if he were looking into the depths of limitless space, whilst a painful expression was seen upon his lips; and then he added slowly,—
"'My fate. Have you forgotten the pro-
