And, dying, in the mournful hour of parting with life I still sing — glory to you.
"Here it comes, all-subduing death, but I say - glory to you!'
With her arms round the slender trunk of an acacia and her body pressed to it, Princess Vena was weeping.
The tree shook gently.
A wind came on a light wing to rustle in the leaves, as if in sympathy.
The smell of the tobacco-plant was more pungent.
Meanwhile the marvellous music continued, responding to her grief:
"Be at peace, my dearest, be at peace.
Do you remember me?
Do you?
You are my last, my only love.
Be at peace, I am with you.
Think of me, and I shall be with you, because you and I loved each other only an instant, but for ever.
Do you remember me?
Do you?
Here, I can feel your tears.
Be at peace.
Sleep is so sweet, so sweet to me."
Having finished the piece, Jennie Reiter came out of the room and saw Princess Vera, bathed in tears, sitting on the bench.
"What's the matter?" asked the pianist.
Her eyes glistening, Vera, restless and agitated, kissed Jennie's face and lips and eyes as she said,
"It's all right, he has forgiven me now.
All is well."