1828.] The Sexlon of Cologne. 405 



habits, to quicken his pace at this admonition. Not a monument would 

 he pass without first stopping to examine it by the lantern-light, and 

 requesting the Burgomaster to explain its inscription. In short, he 

 behaved like a traveller, who was taking the opportunity of seeing the 

 curiosities of the cathedral, although he had spent his three-and-sixty 

 years in Cologne, and, during that period, had been in the habit of fre- 

 quenting it almost daily. 



Adolph, who well knew that no representations would avail him, sub- 

 mitted patiently to the humours of his old servant, contenting himself 

 with answering his questions as briefly as possible ; and in this way 

 they at last got to the high altar. Here Hans made a sudden stop, and 

 was not to be brought any farther. 



" Quick \" exclaimed the Burgomaster, who was beginning to lose 

 his patience ; for his heart throbbed with expectation. 



" Heaven and all good angels defend us !" murmured Hans through 

 his chattering teeth, while he in vain felt for his rosary, which yet hung 

 as usual at his girdle. 



" What is the matter now?" cried Adolph. 



" Do you see who sits there ?" replied Hans. 



" Where ?" exclaimed his master ; " I see nothing ; hold up the 

 lantern." 



" Heaven shield us !" cried the old man : " there sits our deceased 

 lady, on the altar, in a long, white veil, and drinks out of the sacramental 

 cup V 



With a trembling hand he held up the lantern in the direction to which 

 he pointed. It was, indeed, as he had said. There she sat, with the 

 paleness of death upon her face her white garments waving heavily in 

 the night wind, that rushed through the aisles of the church and hold- 

 ing the silver goblet to her lips with long, bony arms, wasted by pro- 

 tracted illness. Even Adolph's courage began to waver.-" Adelaide," 

 he cried, " I conjure you in the name of the blessed Trinity, answer 

 me is it thy living self, or but thy shadow ?" 



" Ah !" replied a faint voice, " you buried me alive, and, but for this 

 wine, I had perished from exhaustion. Come up to me, dear Adolph ; 

 I am no shadow but I soon shall be with shadows, unless I receive 

 your speedy succour." 



" Go not near her !" said Hans ; " it is the Evil One, that has 

 assumed the blessed shape of my lady to destroy you." 



" Away, old man !" exclaimed Adolph, bursting from the feeble 

 grasp of his servant, and rushing up the steps of the altar. 



It was, indeed, Adelaide that he held in his eager embrace the 

 warm and living Adelaide ! who had been buried for dead in her long 

 trance, and had only escaped from the grave by the sacrilegious daring 

 of The Sexton of Cologne. 



