“No,” replied the physician; “my place is here.”
A look of desperate eagerness settled in her face, and she was listening intently for a sound from the other room. The physician regarded her pityingly, as she stood trembling in an agony of impatience and apprehension. Unable to control herself longer, she seized him by the arm, and cried,—
“Dr. Malbone, you know best, but I can’t bear to leave him! Do you know that I fear he will die? He is all the world to me, and I can’t bear to let him go. Do you understand that? I want him to live. I want to show him what a good woman’s trust and love can be. I want to give my whole life to his happiness. I want to atone for all the evil and suffering that I have brought upon him. I want him to know that he has found peace and a refuge at last. Dr. Malbone, go and save him!”
Dr. Malbone took her hands in his, and said,—
“Will you try to understand what I am going to say?”
“Yes, yes!” she answered.
“Then command all the strength of your soul.”
“Dr. Malbone!” she gasped, peering into his eyes, her face blanching.
With pity and tenderness the physician said,—
“Our friend is dead; he died in your arms.”