Count Vavel suddenly beat his palm against his forehead, and exclaimed:
"I never once thought of her! Wait, my brave Henry. I will return immediately. I cannot allow you to have a priest, but I will bring an angel to your bedside."
He hastened to Marie's apartments.
"You have been weeping?" she exclaimed, looking up into his tear-stained eyes with deep concern.
"Yes, Marie; we are going to lose our poor old Henry."
"Oh, my God! How entirely alone we shall be then!"
"Will you come with me to his bedside? The sight of you will cheer his last moments."
"Yes, yes; come quickly."
A wonderful light brightened Henry's face when he saw his young mistress. She moved softly to the head of his bed, and with her delicate fingers gently stroked the cheeks of the trusty old servant.
He closed his eyes and sighed when her hand touched his face.