The Wandering Jew — Volume 11 by Eugène Sue
page 67 of 183 (36%)
page 67 of 183 (36%)
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situated near the western wall of the cemetery. The night was so dark,
that scarcely anything could be seen. After moving his lantern up and down, and all about, the gravedigger showed Samuel, at the foot of a tall yew-tree, with long black branches, a little mound of newly-raised earth, and said: "It is here." "You are sure of it?" "Yes, yes--two bodies in one coffin! it is not such a common thing." "Alas! two in the same coffin!" said the Jew, with a deep sigh. "Now that you know the place, what do you want more?" asked the gravedigger. Samuel did not answer. He fell on his knees, and piously kissed the little mound. Then rising, with his cheeks bathed in tears, he approached the gravedigger, and spoke to him for some moments in a whisper--though they were alone, and in the centre of that deserted place. Then began between those two men a mysterious dialogue, which the night enveloped in shade and silence. The gravedigger, alarmed at what Samuel asked him, at first refused his request. But the Jew, employing persuasions, entreaties, tears, and at last the seduction of the jingling gold, succeeded in conquering the scruples of the gravedigger. Though the latter trembled at the thought of what he promised, he said to Samuel in an agitated tone: "To-morrow night, then, at two o'clock." "I shall be behind the wall," answered Samuel, pointing out the place |
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