time."

But no one dared to enter the dying woman's room on the ground floor.
Even Cimme made way for the others. Colombel was the first to make up his
mind, and, swaying from side to side like the mast of a ship, the iron
ferule of his cane clattering on the paved hall, he entered.

The two women were the next to venture, and M. Cimmes closed the
procession.

Little Joseph had remained outside, pleased at the sight of the dog.

A ray of sunlight seemed to cut the bed in two, shining just on the
hands, which were moving nervously, continually opening and closing. The
fingers were twitching as though moved by some thought, as though trying
to point out a meaning or idea, as though obeying the dictates of a will.
The rest of the body lay motionless under the sheets. The angular frame
showed not a single movement. The eyes remained closed.

The family spread out in a semi-circle and, without a word, they began to
watch the contracted chest and the short, gasping breathing. The little
servant had followed them and was still crying.

At last Cimme asked:

"Exactly what did the doctor say?"

The girl stammered:

"He said to leave her alone, that nothing more could be done for her."

But suddenly the old woman's lips began to move. She seemed to be
uttering silent words, words hidden in the brain of this dying being, and
her hands quickened their peculiar movements.

Then she began to speak in a thin, high voice, which no one had ever
heard, a voice which seemed to come from the distance, perhaps from the
depths of this heart which had always been closed.

Cimme, finding this scene painful, walked away on tiptoe. Colombel, whose
crippled leg was growing tired, sat down.

The two women remained standing.

Queen Hortense was now babbling away, and no one could understand a word.
She was pronouncing names, many names, tenderly calling imaginary people.

"Come here, Philippe, kiss your mother. Tell me, child, do you love your
mamma? You, Rose, take care of your little sister while I am away. And
don't leave her alone. Don't play with matches!"

She stopped for a while, then, in a louder voice, as though she were
calling someone: "Henriette!" then waited a moment and continued:

"Tell your father that I wish to speak to him before he goes to
business." And suddenly: "I am not feeling very well to-day, darling;
promise not to come home late. Tell your employer that I am sick. You
know, it isn't safe to leave the