Page:German Stories (Volumes 2–3).djvu/403

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Chapter III.
213

words, the bride sank fainting into her mother’s arms, and the clergyman declared that, under such impressions as these, it was absolutely impossible for him to proceed with the ceremony. The relations on both sides looked on Felippo’s situation as an attack of sudden madness, but it was not long before they changed this opinion, for he now fainted as Camilla had done,—convulsions followed—the blood forsook his countenance—and, in a few moments, their concern for him was at an end. Notwithstanding every effort made to assist him, he expired. Now they were unanimous in believing that he had been poisoned, but as to the person who had been guilty of that crime, no conjecture could be formed, and afterwards, when surgeons examined the body, they could not find the slightest confirmation of such suspicions.

“The relations, who, like myself, were informed by Camilla of the circumstances which had disturbed Felippo’s peace of mind, resolved to keep the matter as private as possible. However, the mysterious lady who had appeared at the festival was still spoken of, and her visit could not satisfactorily be explained; it was also very wonderful that the ring which had been so often