She had reached the foot of the hill and was turning towards the little garden gate, when I came forward from the shadow of the trees, and stood before her.

Back she started with a cry of fear, then grew silent and gazed into my face.
'So changed,' she murmured; 'can it be the same?
Thomas, is it you come back to me from the dead, or is this but a vision ?' and slowly and doubtingly the dream wraith stretched out her arms as though to clasp me.
Then I awoke.

I awoke and lo! before me stood a fair woman clothed in white, on whom the moonlight shone as in my dream, and her arms were stretched towards me lovingly.
'It is I, beloved, and no vision,' I cried, springing from my bed and clasping her to my breast to kiss her.

But before my lips touched hers I saw my error, for she whom I embraced was not Lily Bozard, my betrothed, but Otomie, princess of the Otomie, who was called my wife.

Then I knew that this was the saddest and the most bitter of dreams that had been sent to mock me, for all the truth rushed into my mind.