The moon was growing larger, her slender contours more developed, and the
stars seemed fainter and farther off. Nothing more exquisite could be
dreamed of, thought Paul, than the view from their balcony windows, the
light on the silver snows. And he would let no thought that it was the
last night they would see it together mar the passionate joy of the hours
still to be. His lady had never been more sweet; it was as if this wayward
Undine had at last found her soul, and lay conquered and unresisting in
her lover's strong arms.
Thus in perfect peace and happiness they; passed their last night on the
Buergenstock.
CHAPTER XIV
The desolation which came over Paul when next day before lunch time he
found himself alone on the terrace, looking down vainly trying to
distinguish his lady's launch as it glided over the blue waters, seemed
unendurable. An intense depression filled his being. It was as if a limb
had been torn from him; he felt helpless and incomplete, and his whole
soul drawn to Lucerne.
The green trees and the exquisite day seemed to mock him. Alone,
alone--with no prospect of seeing his Queen until the morrow, when at
eleven he was to meet her at the landing-steps at the foot
of the _funiculaire_.
But that was to-morrow, and how could he get through to-day?
After an early lunch he climbed to their rock at the summit, and sat there
where they had sat together--alone with his thoughts.
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