The fir-tree forests on the mountains were covered with a purple hue like
the heather bloom; and where the woods terminated, and the rocks became
prominent, they looked almost transparent in the rich crimson glow of the
evening sky. The surface of the lake was like a bed of pink rose-leaves.
As the evening advanced, the shadows fell upon the snow-capped
mountains of Savoy painting them in colors of deep blue, while their
topmost peaks glowed like red lava; and for a moment this light was
reflected on the cultivated parts of the mountains, making them appear as if
newly risen from the lap of earth, and giving to the snow-crested peak of
the Dent du Midi the appearance of the full moon as it rises above the
horizon.
Rudy and Babette felt that they had never seen the Alpine glow in such
perfection before. “How very beautiful it is, and what happiness to be
here!” exclaimed Babette.
“Earth has nothing more to bestow upon me,” said Rudy; “an evening
like this is worth a whole life. Often have I realized my good fortune, but
never more than in this moment. I feel that if my existence were to end now,
I should still have lived a happy life. What a glorious world this is; one day
ends, and another begins even more beautiful than the last. How infinitely
good God is, Babette!”
“I have such complete happiness in my heart,” said she.
“Earth has no more to bestow,” answered Rudy. And then came the sound
of the evening bells, borne upon the breeze over the mountains of
Switzerland and Savoy, while still, in the golden splendor of the west, stood
the dark blue mountains of Jura.
“God grant you all that is brightest and best!” exclaimed Babette.
“He will,” said Rudy. “He will to-morrow. To-morrow you will be wholly
mine, my own sweet wife.”
“The boat!” cried Babette, suddenly. The boat in which they were to
return had broken loose, and was floating away from the island.
