The one who entered the first made a gesture to her companion which riveted her to the spot where she stood, close to the door, and then resolutely advanced toward the bed, drew back the curtains along the iron rod, and threw them in thick folds behind the head of the bed.

She gazed upon the comte's pallid face, remarked his right hand enveloped in linen whose dazzling whiteness was increased by the counterpane covered with dark leaves which was thrown across a portion of the sick couch.

She shuddered as she saw a spot of blood becoming larger and larger upon the linen bandages.

The young man's white chest was quite uncovered, as if the cool night air would assist his respiration.

A small bandage fastened the dressings of the wound, around which a bluish circle of extravasated blood was gradually increasing in size.