|Not till the second night after the earl's body had been brought to
Dagenham Park did the countess commence her journey to Dilston.
During the interval the coffin was placed upon a catafalque in
the chapel attached to the mansion, and tapers were lighted around
it--masses being said for the repose of the soul of the departed by
Father Norham.
The head had now been replaced by the body, but the countess would not
allow the coffin to be closed, and at night she was left alone in the
chapel.
After praying for some time she arose and gazing at her dead lord,
invoked him either to appear to her, or give her some sign that he was
conscious of her presence.
But the pale features retained their fixed expression.
After awhile, she sat down, and despite all her efforts to resist it,
sleep stole over he.
Then she dreamed that the earl stood beside her, looking as he had done
in life.
After contemplating her for a few minutes with a look that seemed to
fascinate her, he said in low solemn accents:
“Weep no more for me, Anna! weep no more! my suffering is over. But let
my last wishes be fulfilled. Till my body is laid where I have desired,
my spirit will wander near its earthly tabernacle. Then it will rest.”
“Give me some token that I have really beheld you, my lord,” she said.
“Look at my right hand, and you will be satisfied,” was the reply.
Thereupon the phantom vanished.
Not for some hours could she rouse herself from the heavy slumber into
which she had fallen. She then recalled the vision, but thought it must
have been a dream.
To convince herself of the truth she went to the coffin, and raised the
right hand of the corpse.
On one of the fingers was a ring which she had not observed before.
Removing it, she placed it on her own finger.
Reluctant to allude to the mysterious occurrence, she did not even
mention it to Father Norham.
Next day she was joined by Dorothy Forster, who desired to accompany her
to Dilston.