The Amulet

"And yet my life was so happy! Everything in the world smiled upon me; my

path was strewn with roses; the future spread out before me like a

cloudless sky resplendent with stars. God had not only given me health,

fortune, and peace of heart, but also the hope of uniting my fate with

that of a lovely young girl. Mary Van de Werve! the incarnation of all

that men admire and heaven loves: virtue, piety, modesty, charity, beauty,

love! Alas! alas! must I leave all that? Must I say a last adieu, renounce

my hopes, and never see her again? Die and sleep forever in an unknown

tomb, while she lives!"

A cry of anguish escaped him. But it was caused rather by his train of

thought than by the adieu he had just spoken, for he added, in a suppliant

voice: "Pardon, O Lord, pardon! Thy creature clings to life; but be not angry

with the weakness of my nature. Should I die by the terrible death of

starvation, I humbly accept Thy holy will, and I bless Thy hand which

deals the blow! God of mercy, grant that I may find grace with Thee!"

Calmed by this invocation, he resumed, with less emotion and in a tone

which proved that his soul had received consolation: "And if I be permitted in my last hour to offer to Thee my supplications,

I pray Thee, O God of mercy, to spare my uncle, and let not my misfortune

deprive him also of life. He was my father and benefactor; he taught me to

live in the fear of Thy holy name. By the cruel sufferings which I endure,

by my terrible death, have pity on him! Let Thy angels also guard and

protect the pious and pure young girl who is before Thee as an immaculate

dove! Jesus, Saviour of mankind, on the cross you prayed to your heavenly

Father for those who crucified Thee. Demand not an account of my blood

from my enemy. Pardon him, lead him back to the path of virtue, and after

death grant him eternal rest! My strength fails; the sweat of death is on

my brow. O my God! in this, my last hour, grant me the grace to die with

Thy love alone in my heart, and Thy holy name alone upon my lips!"

The last words of this prayer had scarcely fallen from his lips, when he

cried aloud, arose trembling, and eagerly fixed his eyes upon the opposite

wall, upon which a faint streak of light flickered.

"O my God! what means this?" he exclaimed. "Light? light? a voice? Is some

one coming? Is there still hope? I shall not die! Cruel dream! Frightful

illusion! But no, it is indeed a light; it becomes brighter. I hear a

human voice. Alas! this suspense is worse than death!"