^T  had  a  letter  from  Henri  which  leaves  me  in  no  doubt  as
to  my  fate.  He  has  murdered  me.  And — ^just  when  I  meant
to  live  honestly— -to  die  an  object  of  disgust!

^Tjisbeth,  give  up  all  notions  of  revenge.  Be  kind  to  that
family  to  whom  I  have  left  by  my  will  everything  I  can  dis-


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pose  of.  Go,  child,  though  you  are  the  only  creature  who,  at
this  hour/  does  not  avoid  me  with  horror — ^go,  I  beseech  you,
and  leave  me. — I  have  only  time  to  make  my  peace  with
Godr

**She  is  wandering  in  her  wits,*'  said  Lisbeth  to  herself,  as
she  left  the  room.
The  strongest  affection  known,  that  of  a  woman  for  a  wo-
man, had  not  such  heroic  constancy  as  the  Church.  Lisbeth,
stifled  by  the  miasma,  went  away.  She  found  the  physicians
still  in  consultation.  But  Bianchon's  opinion  carried  the
day,  and  the  only  question  now  was  how  to  try  the  remedies.
"At  any  rate,  we  shall  have  a  splendid  post'inortem/'  said
one  of  his  opponents,  "and  there  will  be  two  cases  to  enable
us  to  make  comparisons.'*

Lisbeth  came  in  again  with  Bianchon,  who  went  up  to  the
sick  woman  without  seeming  aware  of  the  malodorous
atmosphere.
'Ttfadame,"  said  he,  "we  intend  to  try  a  powerful  remedy
which  may  save  you **

"And  if  you  save  my  life,"  said  she,  "shall  I  be  as  good-
looking  as  ever?"

"Possibly,"  said  the  judicious  physician.
