d. But how comes it that you allow Madame Graslin to walk about?
She ought to be in her bed."

"She was there," said Madame Sauviat; "for ten days she did not leave
it; but to-day she insisted on getting up to take a last look at the
landscape."

"I can understand that she wanted to bid farewell to her great
creation," said Monsieur de Grandville; "but she risked expiring on this
terrace."

"Monsieur Roubaud told us not to thwart her," said Madame Sauviat.

"What a stupendous work! what a miracle has been accomplished!" said the
archbishop, whose eyes were roving over the scene before him. "She has
literally sown the desert! But we know, monsieur," he added, turning
to Gerard, "that your scientific knowledge and your labors have a large
share in it."

"They have been only the workmen," replied the mayor. "Yes, the hands
only; she has been the thought."

Madame Sauviat here left the group, to hear, if possible, the decision
of the doctors.

"We need some heroism ourselves," said Monsieur de Grandville to the
rector and the archbishop, "to enable us to witness this death."

"Yes," said Monsieur Grossetete, who overheard him, "but we ought to do
much for such a friend."

After several turns up and down the terrace, these persons, full of
solemn thoughts, saw two farmers approaching them, sent as a deputation
from the village, where the inhabitants were in a state of painful
anxiety to know the sentence pronounced by the physician from Paris.

"They are still consulting, and as yet we know nothing, my friends,"
said the archbishop.

As he spoke, Monsieur Roubaud appeared coming toward them, and they all
hurried to meet him.

"Well?" said the mayor.

"She cannot live forty-eight hours longer," replied Monsieur Roubaud.
"During my absence the disease has fully developed; Monsieur Bianchon
does not understand how it was possible for her to have walked. Such
phenomenal exhibitions of strength are always caused by great mental
exaltation. So, gentlemen," said the doctor to the priests, "she belongs
to you now; science is useless, and my illustrious fellow-physician
thinks you have barely time enough for your last offices."

"Let us go now and say the prayers for the forty hours," said the rector
to his parishioners, turning to leave the terrace. "His Grace will
doubtless administer the last sacraments."

The archbishop bowed his head; he could not speak; his eyes were full of
tears. Every one sat down, or lea