“Let me recall the scene.
“It was a terrible moment.
“The chamber of Emilie was dimly lighted by a night-lamp placed near the door.
“My back was toward this door. I was seated by her bed. She could not retain her sobs. My forehead was resting on my hand.
“The most profound silence reigned around us.
“I had just spoken to her of our child. I had just promised to fulfil her will in reference to him.
“I had tried to console her, to induce her to hope for better days, to reanimate her courage, to give her strength to conceal all from her husband; to prove to her that, for his own peace and happiness, it was better to let him remain in confident security.
“Suddenly the door behind me opened with violence.
“Emilie cried in terror: ‘My husband! I am dead!’
“Before I could turn around, an involuntary movement of her husband extinguished the lamp.