ed, vanished, and the white teeth
were tightly set. The black hair, long and dry, was pressed tightly
about the forehead, and half veiled the green hollows of the cheeks; and
yet I recognised in this face the joyous white and rose face that I had
seen so often.

Armand, unable to turn away his eyes, had put the handkerchief to his
mouth and bit it.

For my part, it was as if a circle of iron tightened about my head, a
veil covered my eyes, a rumbling filled my ears, and all I could do was
to unstop a smelling bottle which I happened to have with me, and to
draw in long breaths of it.

Through this bewilderment I heard the inspector say to Duval, "Do you
identify?"

"Yes," replied the young man in a dull voice.

"Then fasten it up and take it away," said the inspector.

The grave-diggers put back the shroud over the face of the corpse,
fastened up the coffin, took hold of each end of it, and began to carry
it toward the place where they had been told to take it.

Armand did not move. His eyes were fixed upon the empty grave; he was as
white as the corpse which we had just seen. He looked as if he had been
turned to stone.

I saw what was coming as soon as the pain caused by the spectacle should
have abated and thus ceased to sustain him. I went up to the inspector.
"Is this gentleman's presence still necessary?" I said, pointing to
Armand.

"No," he replied, "and I should advise you to take him away. He looks
ill."

"Come," I said to Armand, taking him by the arm.

"What?" he said, looking at me as if he did not recognise me.

"It is all over," I added. "You must come, my friend; you are quite
white; you are cold. These emotions will be too much for you."

"You are right. Let us go," he answered mechanically, but without moving
a step.

I took him by the arm and led him along. He let himself be guided like a
child, only from time to time murmuring, "Did you see her eyes?" and he
turned as if the vision had recalled her.

Nevertheless, his steps became more irregular; he seemed to walk by a
series of jerks; his teeth chattered; his hands were cold; a violent
agitation ran through his body. I spoke to him; he did not answer. He
was just able to let himself be led along. A cab was waiting at the
gate. It was only just in time. Scarcely had he seated himself, when the
shivering became more violent, and he had an actual attack of nerves, in
the midst of which his fear of frightening me made him press my ha