And he fainted away.
Aubert and Gerande knelt by the old man’s bed-side and prayed together.
CHAPTER V.
THE HOUR OF DEATH.
Several days passed, and Master Zacharius, though almost dead, rose from his bed and returned to active life under a supernatural excitement. He lived by pride. But Gerande did not deceive herself; her father’s body and soul were for ever lost.
The old man got together his last remaining resources, without thought of those who were dependent upon him. He betrayed an incredible energy, walking, ferreting about, and mumbling strange, incomprehensible words.
One morning Gerande went down to his shop. Master Zacharius was not there. She waited for him all day. Master Zacharius did not return.
Gerande wept bitterly, but her father did not reappear.
Aubert searched everywhere through the town, and soon came to the sad conviction that the old man had left it.
“Let us find my father!” cried Gerande, when the young apprentice told her this sad news.
“Where can he be?” Aubert asked himself.