"Oh, I feel so strong that you will be astonished," replied Marie, smiling and trying to rise from her sick-chair, and succeeding with great difficulty, for she was very weak.
It was a beautiful and pathetic picture.
Marie, having risen, advanced with an uncertain step, David at her right, the doctor at her left, ready to sustain her if she fainted, while Frederick, in front of her, was slowly walking backward, holding out his arms, as one does to a child that is attempting his first steps.
"You see how strong I am!" said the young woman, stepping slowly toward her son, who smiled upon her with tenderness. "Where are you going to take me?"
"You are going to see, mother."
Frederick had scarcely uttered these words, when a fearful, terrible shriek sounded from behind the door.
It was Marguerite. Then the door opened suddenly, and a bantering, ringing voice said at the same time:
"Make a note of it! The big old fellow is living yet!"