Restoratives were used, and at the proper time the patient unclosed his eyes. With a great effort he raised himself in bed, beckoned to the marshal of the household to approach, and, supported by Mirazzi, he put his name to the will.
"I request my minister and the marshal of my household to approach and witness the signing of my will."
They came in, and, taking up a document which lay on a table close by, the duke raised himself in bed, and, supported by the doctor, gave his signature.
"Take it," said he, "to Turin. Place it in the archives, and when I am dead let it be opened in the presence of the duchess and of my well-beloved kinsman here present, the Prince of Savoy. And now," said he, "farewell. My strength is exhausted! The end is nigh!"
And with these faintly-articulated words, Victor Amadeus fell back upon his pillow and swooned.
Eugene returned to his quarters in a state of extreme perplexity.
"How is the duke?" cried De Commercy, who shared his lodgings.
"I do not know," said Eugene, moodily. "But this I know. we march, not to Grenoble, but back to Turin."
"Indeed!"
"Yes; such are the duke's latest orders, and, as he has appointed no one to represent him, the army is still under his sole control. I told you, we should get no farther than Embrun!"