t look at her hand; I never make a mistake, you may be quite sure of
that."

Caravan fell on the bed, and almost bellowed, while his wife, still
whimpering, did what was necessary.

She brought the night-table, on which she spread a table napkin, and
placed four wax candles on it, which she lighted; then she took a sprig
of box, which was hanging over the chimney glass, and put it between
the candles, into the plate, which she filled with clean water, as she
had no holy water. But, after a moment's rapid reflection, she threw a
pinch of salt into the water, no doubt, thinking she was performing some
sort of act of consecration by doing that, and when she had finished, she
remained standing motionless, and the medical man, who had been helping
her, whispered to her:

"We must take Caravan away."

She nodded assent, and, going up to her husband, who was still on his
knees, sobbing, she raised him up by one arm, while Chenet took him by
the other.

They put him into a chair, and his wife kissed his forehead, and then
began to lecture him. Chenet enforced her words, and preached firmness,
courage, and resignation--the very things which are always wanting in
such overwhelming misfortunes--and then both of them took him by the arms
again and led him out.

He was crying like a great child, with convulsive hiccoughs; his arms
were hanging down, and his legs seemed useless, and he went downstairs
without knowing what he was doing, and moving his legs mechanically.
They put him into the chair which he always occupied at dinner, in front
of his empty soup plate. And there he sat, without moving, with his eyes
fixed on his glass, and so stupefied with grief, that he could not even
think.

In a corner, Madame Caravan was talking with the doctor, and asking what
the necessary formalities were, as she wanted to obtain practical
information. At last, Monsieur Chenet, who appeared to be waiting for
something, took up his hat and prepared to go, saying that he had not
dined yet; whereupon, she exclaimed:--

"What! you have not dined? But stop here, doctor; don't go. You shall
have whatever we can give you, for, of course, you will understand that
we do not fare sumptuously." However, he made excuses and refused, but
she persisted, and said:--

"You really must stop; at times like this, people like to have friends
near them, and, besides that, perhaps you will be able to persuade my
husband to take some nourishment; he must ke