"Well?"
"In forty-eight hours you will be dead or saved."
"Thank you, Mandt," said Nicholas in a voice of deep emotion. "Now good-by, and send me my family."
The doctor prepared to leave the room.
"Mandt!" called Nicholas, on seeing him direct his steps toward the door.
"Sire."
"Let us embrace each other, my good old friend. We will perhaps never meet again on earth. You have been an honest and faithful servant. I will recommend you to my son."
"What do you say, sire? Never see you again! I sincerely hope the contrary, and that my attentions—"
"Your attentions will be superfluous. There will be time for me only to see my ministers and my priest, and make my peace with God. Human science can do no more for me, and, indeed, I do not wish to try it."
"And now at the close, sire, I revolt," cried the doctor. "I have no right, and my duty forbids my thus abandoning you."