As I heard her muffled, feeble voice, methought the answer proceeded from the bottom of a tomb. A moment later, her eyes, that until then were fixed, turned slowly towards me. The divine intelligence that formerly illumined the beautiful, august and sweet look of my foster-sister seemed extinguished. Nevertheless, by degrees, she recovered consciousness, and said:
"Is it you—brother? I am dying—"
Tossing her head painfully from one side to the other as if seeking something, she made an effort to raise her arm; it dropped immediately beside her; she then proceeded to say:
"See yonder large trunk—open it—you will find in it—a bronze casket—bring it to me—"
I did as I was bid, and deposited a rather heavy bronze casket near her on the couch. At that moment Sampso, whom Mora notified of Victoria's condition, came in.
"Sampso," said Victoria, "take this casket—take it away with you—keep it carefully locked—open it in three days—the key is tied to the lid."
And addressing me:
"Did you transcribe Tetrik's conversation with me?"
"I was just finishing it when Mora ran in to me."
"Sampso, take that casket away to your room immediately, and bring me the parchment on which Schanvoch has just been writing. Go, we have not a minute to spare!"