And she added,—
"Oh, keep me with you!"
Then, after a pause, she said,—
"Come to me as soon as you can. I shall be very unhappy without you, even in heaven. Do not leave me long alone, my sweet Gwynplaine! My paradise was here; above there is only heaven! Oh! I cannot breathe! My beloved! My beloved! My beloved!"
"Mercy!" cried Gwynplaine.
"Farewell!" murmured Dea.
And he pressed his mouth to her beautiful icy hands. For a moment it seemed as if she had ceased to breathe. Then she raised herself on her elbows, and an intense splendour flashed across her eyes, and through an ineffable smile her voice rang out clearly.
"Light!" she cried. "I see!"
And she expired. She fell back rigid and motionless on the mattress.
"Dead!" said Ursus.