He tore open his collar, his tie, his shirt:

“Air!” he implored.

And his eyes started from his head, he staggered, fell into a chair.

Louise rang the bell. The girls screamed for the maids, the butler. Henri flew down the stairs to fetch a doctor.

It was was too late....

Van Naghel lay dead, struck down by apoplexy.


[1] Lord! Heavens!

[2] Nurse, ayah.

[3] The young master.