OF THE FOREST, 45

white, and the air from without agitated her
flaxen ringlets and snowy drapery as she
advanced towards me, giving almost an ethe-
real’ lightness to her appearance. At one
moment, as she passed under each archway,
a deep shade was cast on her figure, and
again a golden gloom was shed upon it, as
she traversed those portions of the pavement
on which the rays of the sun descended
through the richly decorated windows above.
The lightness of this infant figure, together
with the innocent expression of her gentle
eye, as she ascended the steps of the little
chapel at the door of which I was standing,
and looked up to me half timidly, yet as it
were in the noble consciousness of having
nothing to conceal, suggested to my mind the
idea of some blessed spirit just restored to its
glorified body, and ascending from the grave
to mount to that place of happiness which is
prepared for the redeemed. The ideal resem-
blance was presently heightened in my imagi-
nation by the smile which illuminated every
feature, and sparkled in her eye, as I extended
my hand to her, and said solemnly, “The
Saviour of men, and the Lord of angels, bless
my little girl, and as she is called the beloved