You will give me your remedy and I shall live! You will, will you not?
Man, you can pity!" And joining his hands he made as if he would kneel at the other's feet.

"You can pity, and you will ?" "Alas, alas," Basterga replied, much and strongly moved.

"I cannot." "Cannot ?" "Cannot." The Syndic glared at him.

"Why ?" he cried, "Why not?
If I give you----" "If you were to give me the half of your fortune," Basterga answered solemnly, "it were useless! I myself have the first symptoms of the disease." "You ?" "Yes, I." The Syndic fell back in his chair.

A groan broke from him that bore witness at once to the bitterness of his soul and the finality of the argument.