Then I opened my eyes.
“For God’s sake, what is it?” I cried out, frightened to death, for the countenance of my husband as he knelt by me was so deeply overclouded by sorrow that I guessed at once that some misfortune had happened. Instead of replying he laid his head on my breast.
I understood all. He had to go. I had thrown my arm round his neck, and we remained both in the same position for some time without speaking.
“When?” I asked at length.
“Early to-morrow morning.”
“Oh, my God! my God!”
“Calm yourself, my poor Martha.”
“No, no, let me weep. My misfortune is too great, and I know—I see it in your face—so is yours. Never did I see so much pain in any human face as I have just read in your features.”
“Yes, my wife. I am unfortunate to have to leave you in such a moment——”
“Frederick, Frederick; we shall never see each other again. I shall die——”