"With her?—She—Well, I will tell thee the truth, only be not frightened."
"Well?"
"Helena is no longer alive—she was drowned."
Some sort of indefinite impression shot over Yosef's face; he made an effort as if to rise in the bed, but after a while he dropped his head on the pillow.
"By accident or design?" asked he.
"Rest, old man, rest; it is not permitted thee to talk much. Later I will tell everything."
Yosef turned to the wall and sank into silence. At that moment a servant of the hospital entered.
"Pani Visberg wishes to see you," said he to Augustinovich.
Augustinovich went out; in the corridor Pani Visberg was waiting.
"What has happened?" inquired he, with concern. "Is some one sick?"