He turned round and was about to go.
"Just one word," Eric requested. "We shall soon see an eye closed in death that has always beamed with gentle and noble feeling; let all bitterness toward me disappear, or, for a time, be suspended. Let us not, at such an hour as this, stand in hostility to each other."
"You can talk well: I know that."
"And I want to say what it is well for you to listen to. It troubles me that I appear to you ungrateful; but now, in this mysterious presence which awaits us all, I repeat"—
Bella returned and said,—
"He is still asleep. O Herr Dournay! Clodwig loves you more than he loves any other person in the world."
She gave Eric her hand, and it was cold as ice. The three were speechless for some time, until Eric asked,—
"Is there no hope?"
"No. The Doctor says that he has probably only a few hours to live. Do you hear any thing? The Doctor has promised to come,—to return immediately. Oh, if I could only induce Clodwig to call in another physician! Do urge him to do it: I have no confidence in Doctor Richard."
Eric made no reply.