silence. Not one of us, not even
the Duc de Rhetore, had dry eyes, so clear was it to us all that her
soul was in this fashion passing from us. She could no longer see us!
Yet she was there still in the charm of the faint melody, with its
sweetness not of this earth.

During the night the death agony began. It is now seven in the morning,
and I have just myself raised her from bed. Some flicker of strength
revived; she wished to sit by her window, and asked for Gaston's hand.
And then, my love, the sweetest spirit whom we shall ever see on this
earth departed, leaving us the empty shell.

The last sacrament had been administered the evening before, unknown to
Gaston, who was taking a snatch of sleep during this agonizing ceremony;
and after she was moved to the window, she asked me to read her the _De
Profundis_ in French, while she was thus face to face with the lovely
scene, which was her handiwork. She repeated the words after me to
herself, and pressed the hands of her husband, who knelt on the other
side of the chair.

August 26th.

My heart is broken. I have just seen her in her winding-sheet; her
face is quite pale now with purple shadows. Oh! I want my children! my
children! Bring me my children!

THE END

ADDENDUM

The following personages appear in other stories of the Human Comedy.

Arthez, Daniel d'
A Distinguished Provincial at Paris
The Member for Arcis
The Secrets of a Princess

Beauseant, Marquise de
The Deserted Woman

Bianchon, Horace
Father Goriot
The Atheist's Mass
Cesar Birotteau
The Commission in Lunacy
Lost Illusions
A Distinguished Provincial at Paris
A Bachelor's Establishment
The Secrets of a Princess
The Government Clerks
Pierrette
A Study of Woman
Scenes from a Courtesan's Life
Honorine
The Seamy Side of History
The Magic Skin
A Second Home
A Prince of Bohemia
The Muse of the Department
The Imaginary Mistress
The Middle Classes
Cousin Betty
The Country Parson
In addition, M. Bianchon narrated the following:
Another Study of Woman
La Grande Breteche

Bridau, Joseph
The Purse
A Bachelor's Establishment
A Distinguished Provincial at Paris
A Start in Life
Modeste Mignon
Another St