and pressing against his eyes, trembling all over, his heart on the verge of breaking. "Ah, to exile me at this moment, what difference does it make from pronouncing my death sentence!"

"Pull yourself together, dear Raphael!" Edith leaned over him, her words feeling feeble and pale even to herself.

She was desperate to distract him from his gloomy thoughts. Catching sight of the violin placed in the corner, she anxiously blurted out, "Play one more piece for me! How long has it been since I last heard your music?"

"Yes, play one more piece! The final piece!" Raphael would never disobey her words. He dragged his feet, as if exerting great effort, to reach the corner and picked up that dusty old violin.

He had not yet suppressed the convulsion running through his body, almost struggling to steady the instrument. However, as he began, the music that flowed from the bow strings was gentle and masterful, soothingly pouring forth.

This melody was unfamiliar to her. Amazed, she looked at Raphael, only to find that the young man had closed his eyes. Only the light-coloured long lashes trembled along with the movement of his arm, as if enduring pain.

Edith felt the rippling and murmuring sound of the violin carrying her into a realm of meditation. She too closed her eyes and saw the serene new moon rising, its radiant light ethereally enveloping her being. Lost in the mist, she wandered aimlessly, her heart filled with the hesitant desire to seek someone''s trace.

She heard the intoxicating roll of the waves crashing upon the s