"Look there," said the Count, pointing to La Felina.
The doctor drew near and examined her.
"Suicide and laudanum," said he. He felt the pulse. "Just in time—luckily you told me what was the matter, and I have brought some active and powerful antidotes. In a quarter of an hour cerebral congestion would have ensued, and death." He poured out a few drops of a liquid he had brought in a glass spoon, and forced it between the convulsive teeth of the Duchess. Three minutes afterwards she heaved a deep sigh. "Now I will answer for her recovery," said Von Apsberg. The Duchess opened her eyes soon after and glanced around her. She was, though, unable to distinguish any thing, so haggard and fixed had they become. The Count stood aside. For a few moments through the vast room nothing was heard but the feeble panting and anxious breathing of the invalid, which, however, gradually grew more regular and natural.
"Madame," said the doctor, giving the Duchess a glass of water, into which he had poured a few drops of the liquid he had brought with him, "do you wish to live?"
"No," said the Duchess.
"Then do not take this antidote, for the poison is yet in your system and this alone can neutralize it."
Just then Monte-Leone advanced towards La Felina.
"He here!" murmured she.
"Live," said the Count, "live, I beg you."
Without replying, the Duchess looked towards the doctor as if she were about to ask him for the elixir. She drained the glass.