He stepped over the threshold, his whole being wrought up to he knew not what solemn pageant of death and parting, and the reality within startled him.  The room was flooded with morning light, a frosty December sun was struggling through the fog, the curtains had just been drawn back, and the wintry radiance rested on the polished brass of the bed, on the bright surfaces of wood and glass with which the room was full, on the little tray of tea-things which the nurse held, and on his sister’s face of greeting as she lay back smiling among her pillows.  There was such a cheerful home peace and brightness in the whole scene—­in the crackling wood fire, in the sparkle of the tea-things and the fragrance of the tea, and in the fresh white surroundings of the invalid; it seemed to him incredible that under all this familiar household detail there should be lying in wait that last awful experience of death.

Marie kissed him with grateful affectionate words spoken almost in her usual voice, and then, as he sat beside her holding her hands, she noticed that he looked pale and haggard.

’Has he had some breakfast, Paul?  Oh, poor Eustace, after that long journey!  Nurse, let him have my cup, there is some tea left; let me see you drink it, dear; it’s so pleasant just to look after you once more.’

He drank it mechanically, she watching him with her loving eyes, while she took one hand from him and slipped it into that of her husband as he sat beside her on the bed.  Her touch seemed to have meaning in it, for Paul rose presently and went to the far end of the large room; the nurse carried away the tea-things, and the brother and sister were practically alone.

‘Dear Eustace,’ she began, after a few pathetic moments of silence, in which look and gesture took the place of speech, ’I have so longed to see you.  It seemed to me in that awful pain that I must die before I could gather my thoughts together once more, before I could get free enough from my own wretched self to say to my two dear ones all I wished to say.  But now it is all gone, and I am so thankful for this moment of peace.  I made Dr. de Chavannes tell me the whole truth.  Paul and I have always promised one another that there should never be any concealment between us when either of us came to die, and I think I shall have a few hours more with you.’

She was silent a little; the voice had all its usual intonations, but it was low and weak, and it was necessary for her from time to time to gather such strength as might enable her to maintain the calm of her manner.  Eustace, in bewildered misery, had hidden his face upon her hands, which were clasped in his, and every now and then she felt the pressure of his lips upon her fingers.

‘There are many things I want to say to you,’ she went on.  ’I will try to remember them in order.  Will you stay with Paul a few days—­after—? will you always remember to be good to him?  I know you will.  My poor Paul, oh if I had but given you a child!’