"Umph!" grunted the old man, shrugging his shoulders; "he is in the hands of God."
"Of course, of course. We are all in the hands of God."
"I thought," added the caloyer, "he would not pass yesterday night, especially after the Most Blessed appeared to him, holding her Infant in her arms."
"What!" said the doctor; "you mean to say that the Virgin appeared to him?"
"Of course, and I was not the only one who saw her, for, besides, Blagoslav, Danko Kvekvic, and this young man"—pointing to Milenko —"were also in the room."
"Then God may perform another miracle in his favour," said the doctor, incredulously, "for he is beyond all earthly skill."
Uros, in fact, was sinking fast, and, although the old man clung to hope, still the doctor's words seemed but too true. After some time the sufferer seemed to give signs of consciousness, and when Milena placed her thin white hand on his forehead, he felt the slight pressure of her fingers, and, with his eyes closed, said:
"Milena, are you here?" and a faint smile played over his lips.
"Yes, my love," whispered Milena, "I am here."
Uros opened his eyes, looked at her, and seemed bewildered at the change which had come over her; still, he said nothing for a while, but was evidently lost in thought, after which he added: