DR. RICHE MAKES A REMARKABLE DISCOVERY
Dal sonno a la morte è un picciol varco.[10]
(Tasso Gerusalemme Liberata, ix. 18.)
Perir non lascia chi perir non merita.[11]
(Alfieri Fillipo, Act iv. Sc. 5.)
"We are of such stuff as dreams are made of, and our little life is rounded with a sleep."[12]
On entering the adjoining apartment Villebois and Riche ran to the assistance of Renée who was lying on the sofa in a dead faint. Madame Villebois was busy applying the usual restoratives, while Payot in a terrible state of excitement had just rushed out of the room to search for a bottle of brandy. On opening the door he literally fell into the arms of François and the other domestics, who had collected round the door to try and discover what was going on.
"Eavesdropping, Hein!" he cried. "How dare you leave your duties and gossip like this. Be off with you. Here, François, show me at once where you keep the brandy," and seizing him by the arm they ran to the cellar to fetch it.
Meanwhile Céleste, half scared to death, was kneeling beside Renée, chafing her cold bloodless hands, while she looked up through her tears at the other guests who were assembled round the couch, and conversing in excited tones.
Villebois and Riche gently pushed them aside, and taking Renée in their arms, carried her up to bed.
"We can do nothing more to-night," said Villebois, consulting his watch, "see how late it is, and we shall have a heavy day to-morrow."