she drew it close to herself, stroked it, breathed upon it, and
with tears and kisses labored to supply the help which, cut off as she
was, she was unable to find.

It was all in vain; the child lay motionless in her arms; motionless the
boat floated on the glassy water. But even here her beautiful spirit did
not leave her forsaken. She turned to the Power above. She sank down
upon her knees in the boat, and with both arms raised the unmoving child
above her innocent breast, like marble in its whiteness; alas, too, like
marble, cold; with moist eyes she looked up and cried for help, where a
tender heart hopes to find it in its fulness when all other help has
failed.

The stars were beginning one by one to glimmer down upon her; she turned
to them and not in vain; a soft air stole over the surface, and wafted
the boat under the plane-trees.

CHAPTER XIV

She hurried to the new house, and called the surgeon and gave the child
into his hands. It was carried at once to Charlotte's sleeping-room.
Cool and collected from a wide experience, he submitted the tender body
to the usual process. Ottilie stood by him through it all. She prepared
everything, she fetched everything, but as if she were moving in another
world; for the height of misfortune, like the height of happiness,
alters the aspect of every object. And it was only when, after every
resource had been exhausted, the good man shook his head, and to her
questions, whether there was hope, first was silent, and then answered
with a gentle No! that she left the apartment, and had scarcely entered
the sitting-room, when she fell fainting, with her face upon the carpet,
unable to reach the sofa.

At that moment Charlotte was heard driving up. The surgeon implored the
servants to keep back, and allow him to go to meet her and prepare her.
But he was too late; while he was speaking she had entered the
drawing-room. She found Ottilie on the ground, and one of the girls of
the house came running and screaming to her open-mouthed. The surgeon
entered at the same moment, and she was informed of everything. She
could not at once, however, give up all hope. She was flying up stairs
to the child, but the physician besought her to remain where she was. He
went himself, to deceive her with a show of fresh exertions, and she sat
down upon the sofa. Ottilie was still lying on the ground; Charlotte
raised her, and supported her against herself, and her beautiful head
sank