Ottilie heard the word, and sank upon the sofa. Nanny saw her mistress
turn pale, fall back, and faint. She ran for Charlotte, who came. The
medical friend was on the spot in a moment. He thought it was nothing
but exhaustion. He ordered some strong soup to be brought. Ottilie
refused it with an expression of loathing: it almost threw her into
convulsions, when they put the cup to her lips. A light seemed to break
on the physician: he asked hastily and anxiously what Ottilie had taken
that day. The little girl hesitated. He repeated his question, and she
then acknowledged that Ottilie had taken nothing.

There was a nervousness of manner about Nanny which made him suspicious.
He carried her with him into the adjoining room; Charlotte followed; and
the girl threw herself on her knees, and confessed that for a long time
past Ottilie had taken as good as nothing; at her mistress's urgent
request, she had herself eaten the food which had been brought for her;
she had said nothing about it, because Ottilie had by signs alternately
begged her not to tell any one, and threatened her if she did; and, as
she innocently added, "because it was so nice."

The Major and Mittler now came up as well. They found Charlotte busy
with the physician. The pale, beautiful girl was sitting, apparently
conscious, in the corner of the sofa. They had begged her to lie down;
she had declined to do this; but she made signs to have her box brought,
and resting her feet upon it, placed herself in an easy, half recumbent
position. She seemed to be wishing to take leave; and by her gestures,
was expressing to all about her the tenderest affection, love,
gratitude, entreaties for forgiveness, and the most heartfelt farewell.

Edward, on alighting from his horse, was informed of what had happened;
he rushed to the room; threw himself down at her side; and seizing her
hand, deluged it with silent tears. In this position he remained a long
time. At last he called out: "And am I never more to hear your voice?
Will you not turn back toward life, to give me one single word? Well,
then, very well. I will follow you yonder, and there we will speak in
another language."

She pressed his hand with all the strength she had; she gazed at him
with a glance full of life and full of love; and drawing a long breath,
and for a little while moving her lips inarticulately, with a tender
effort of affection she called out, "Promise me to live;" and then fell
back imm