have; I am today undergoing a bitter
experience. Is it old age which makes it so difficult for me to give up
a desire? I have learned to do so before now. Yes, yes; a man becomes
childish--childish; a child cannot give up."

He leaned heavily on Eric, who was shaken to the depth of his soul by
the emotion of the noble man. He did not know what to reply, and
Clodwig continued:--

"I feel as if I knew not where I am. Do you not think it is very
close?"

"No. Will you not sit down?"

Hastily loosing his hold of Eric's arm to pass his hand over his face,
Clodwig said,--

"My young friend, when I die--"

Hardly had he uttered the word, when he sank down: Eric caught him in
his arms. Bella, who was walking behind with the physician, uttered a
cry; the physician hurried to the spot; Eric stooped, raised Clodwig in
his arms like a child--all this was the work of a moment.

Clodwig was carried into the great drawing-room, and laid upon a sofa.
Bella sobbed aloud, but the doctor soothed her. He had a remedy with
him which soon restored Clodwig to consciousness; he begged Eric and
Bella to leave the room as soon as the count had spoken.

Outside, Bella threw herself on Eric's breast, and he trembled as he
felt her breath on his face, and a thrill ran through him as the
beautiful woman leaned upon him in such passionate and unrestrained
excitement.

"You are our helper, our friend in need! O my friend, my friend!"

Sonnenkamp entered hastily, and Bella, standing erect, with wonderful
composure addressed him, saying,--

"Herr Sonnenkamp! our mutual friend. Captain Dournay, is a blessing to
us all; with the strength of a giant he carried my husband. Thank him
with me."

Eric was astonished at this rapid recovery of self-control.

The physician came out, and Sonnenkamp asked anxiously,--

"How is he? how is he?"

His mind was set at rest by the doctor's declaration that it had been a
very slight attack, which would have no bad consequences. Clodwig
requested that Eric would come to him.

Eric entered the drawing-room. Clodwig sitting upright held out his
hand to Eric, saying, with a wonderfully bright smile,--

"I must finish my sentence; I was going to say: When I die, my young
friend, I should like to have you near me. But don't be anxious, it
will not be for a long time yet. There, now sit down by me. Where is my
wife?"

Eric went to call her, and she entered, with the physician and
Sonnenkamp.

The docto