"What? Speak up!..."
"Her majesty...."
"Well, her majesty?"
"Prince Berengar ... the fever has increased ... he is delirious, sir, and the doctors ..."
The emperor turned pale:
"Is he dead?" he asked, fiercely. "Tell me at once."
"Not dead, sir, but...."
"But what?"
"But the doctors ... have no hope...."
With an oath of anguish the emperor pushed the aide aside and darted out of the room.