The Cure made ready to read the office for the dying. "My son," he said, "do you truly and earnestly repent you of your sins?"
Valmond's eyes suddenly grew misty, his breathing heavier. He scarcely seemed to comprehend.
"I have paid the price—I have loved you all. Parpon—where are you?
—Elise!"
A moment of silence, and then his voice rang out with a sort of sob.
"Ah, madame," he cried chokingly, "dear madame, for you I—"
Madame Chalice arose with a little cry, for she knew whom he meant, and her heart ached for him. She forgot his imposture—everything.
"Ah, dear, dear monsieur!" she said brokenly.
He knew her voice, he heard her coming; his eyes opened wide, and he raised himself on the couch with a start. The effort loosened the bandage at his neck, and blood gushed out on his bosom.
With a convulsive motion he drew up the coverlet to his chin, to hide the red stream, and said gaspingly:
"Pardon, madame."
Then a shudder passed through him, and with a last effort to spare her the sight of his ensanguined body,' he fell face downward, voiceless—for ever.