Leo, shocked and deeply moved, got up and came to her side.
"Why ... why," she sobbed, "why must it have been so? Now I am wretched and abandoned, and you are wretched too, and the others. Oh, Jesus, have pity!"
"Do--do be reasonable," he urged, trying to conceal his fear by harshness.
"Yes, yes--tell me what to do.... I will obey and do all you command."
"You must calm yourself first. Suppose some one came in." His glance wandered uneasily to the door.
"Oh, I will be calm directly. Oh, Lord! Lord!"
"Felicitas."
He would have liked to shake her, but was afraid to touch her with his hands.
At the severity of his tone, she raised herself and wiped her face with limp hands.
"I am weak," she stammered; "please get me my flask from the next room."