"And you haven't had any treatment?" asked she. "You haven't called a doctor?"
"No. I didn't want to do that. Because if anybody had seen me, they'd have suspected. And I preferred to die, Alicia, rather than to have them take away the necklace I stole for you."
Then, feeling that his last strength was running out, he added with a little gesture:
"There it is, on the bureau. Just raise up those papers—"
The scene was poignant, melodramatic with sad romanticism. At last the Magdalene's eyes grew wet.
"Boy, boy!" she sobbed. "What have you done?"
Darlés only repeated:
"You'll find it there, on the bureau."
She did as the student bade her in his eagerness not to die before seeing his gift in the well-beloved's hands of snow and pearl. Under some papers her fingers came upon a black pearl necklace.
"Oh, how beautiful!" she cried, enchanted.