`` Well hast thou spoken ; the dead is thine . '' The proud girl started and stared into her face with a ghastly look , but a wild-and mournful expression passed across the features of the gentle one , and , weak and helpless , she sank down on the bed , her head pillowed beside that of the corpse and her hair mingling with his dark locks . A creature of hope and joy , the first draught of sorrow had bewildered her . `` Edith ! '' cried her rival . Edith groaned as with a sudden compression of the heart , and , removing her cheek from the dead youth 's pillow , she stood upright , fearfully encountering the eyes of the lofty girl . `` Wilt thou betray me ? '' said the latter , calmly . `` Till the dead bid me speak I will be silent , '' answered Edith . `` Leave us alone together . Go and live many years , and then return and tell me of thy life . He too will be here . Then , if thou tellest of sufferings more than death , we will both forgive thee . '' `` And what shall be the token ? '' asked the proud girl , as if her heart acknowledged a meaning in these wild words . `` This lock of hair , '' said Edith , lifting one of the dark clustering curls that lay heavily on the dead man 's brow . The two maidens joined their hands over the bosom of the corpse and appointed a day and hour far , far in time to come for their next meeting in that chamber . The statelier girl gave one deep look at the motionless countenance and departed , yet turned again and trembled ere she closed the door , almost believing that her dead lover frowned upon her . And Edith , too ! Was not her white form fading into the moonlight ?
Scorning her own weakness , she went forth and perceived that a negro slave was waiting in the passage XXXXX a waxlight , which he held between her face and his own and regarded her , as she thought , with an ugly expression of merriment .
Till across at hast into of on than upon with