In great disturbance Dr. Sales poured some Cologne water upon a fresh handkerchief, and bathed her head and face, and held it to her nose, that she might inhale the reviving essence.
And in a few moments he had the comfort of seeing her draw a deep breath and open her eyes. She did not know that she had fainted, for she took up the sentence just where she had left it off.
“For the sake of others, I ought to know my condition, so as to arrange my affairs.”
“My child, you are fatiguing yourself too much. Let me entreat you to be quiet.”
“No; I must speak—while I can. I feel I have no strength to make any but a verbal will. And Justin is not here. And so—you will listen to me.”
“Speak on, then, dear child, but take your time—do not weary yourself.”
And with many pauses and rests between her words, Erminie spoke.
“You know, dear friend, the large property left me by my uncles?”
“Yes.”
“Well, if I die without a will, Justin, as my heir-at-law, will come into possession of the whole.”