In the farther compartment, beyond Marie, there was indeed a young missionary, Brother Isidore, who was lying on a mattress and could not be seen, since he was unable to raise even a finger.

But he was not suffering from phthisis.

He was dying of inflammation of the liver, contracted in Senegal.

Very long and lank, he had a yellow face, with skin as dry and lifeless as parchment.

The abscess which had formed in his liver had ended by breaking out externally, and amidst the continuous shivering of fever, vomiting, and delirium, suppuration was exhausting him.