Dead? exclaimed the Lieutenant.
No, not dead, but sleeping quietly. We have nothing to do but wait and watch. If he awakes from this sleep, he may live for some hours—perhaps some days.
Again Cora goes to the door and admits Walter and his two friends.
This way, she said, and conducted them to the library. Then taking Walter by the hand said:
You have arrived in time to see your grand-father alive. Follow me.
She opened the door, and by a wave of the hand ordered the servants to depart.
Thus, child and grand-child were alone with the dying. His face was flushed, yet there were no signs of pain or discontent. Walter’s feelings were deeply aroused. Before him lay the father of his long dead mother. The sight carried him back to the events on the Callicoon, where he had often seen his mother, on bended knee, pouring out her soul to God in behalf of him who was now dying before him. Where he had heard her say:
“Father in Heaven, forgive him; he knows not what he has done!”
Can I do less? Yes, grand-father, I forgive you. For my sake—for my parents’ sake, I forgive you. And while life lasts, I will kiss the lips that have often kissed my mother, and he instinctively bent over the dying man.
Hist! said Cora. He wakes.