"I don't know, madame. When any of us gets sick the count knows what to do; but he does n't seem able to cure himself now; the contents of the medicine-chest are scattered all over the floor."
"Is there no doctor in the village?"
"Yes, madame; the county physician."
"Then he must be sent for."
"I thought of that, but I did not like to venture to do so."
"Why not?"
"Because the count has declared that he will shoot me if I attempt to bring a stranger into his room, or into madame's. He told me I must never admit within the castle gate a doctor, a preacher, or a woman; and I should not think of disobeying him."
"But now that he is so ill? and you say he may die? Merciful God! Ludwig die! It cannot—must not—happen!"
"But how will madame hinder it?"
"If you will not venture to fetch the doctor, then I will go myself."