Hitherto the affectionate De Haldimar had loved to listen
to these sounds of comfort; for, although they carried
no conviction to his mind, impressed as he was with the
terrible curse of Ellen Halloway, and the consequent
belief that his family were devoted to some fearful doom,
still they came soothingly and unctuously to his sick
soul; and, all deceptive even as he felt them to be, he
found they created a hope which, while certain to be
dispelled by calm after-reflection, carried a momentary
solace to his afflicted spirit. But, now that he had
every evidence his adored sister was no more, and that
the illusion of hope was past for ever, to have heard
her name even mentioned by one who, ignorant of the
fearful truth the events of that night had elucidated,
was still ready to renew a strain every chord of which
had lost its power of harmony, was repugnant beyond
bearing to his heart. At one moment he resolved briefly
to acquaint the old man with the dreadful fact, but
unwillingness to give pain prevented him; and, moreover,
he felt the grief the communication would draw from the
faithful servitor of his family must be of so unchecked
a nature as to render his own sufferings even more poignant
than they were.
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