He went to one of those agents who manage these transactions, and felt a sort of happiness in recognizing an old officer of the Imperial guard.

“It is two days since I have eaten anything,” he said to him in a slow, weak voice.  “My wife is dying of hunger, and has never uttered one word of complaint; she will die smiling, I think.  For God’s sake, comrade,” he added, bitterly, “buy me in advance; I am robust; I am no longer in the service, and I—­”

The officer gave Luigi a sum on account of that which he promised to procure for him.  The wretched man laughed convulsively as he grasped the gold, and ran with all his might, breathless, to his home, crying out at times:—­

“Ginevra!  Oh, my Ginevra!”

It was almost night when he reached his wretched room.  He entered very softly, fearing to cause too strong an emotion to his wife, whom he had left so weak.  The last rays of the sun, entering through the garret window, were fading from Ginevra’s face as she sat sleeping in her chair, and holding her child upon her breast.

“Wake, my dear one,” he said, not observing the infant, which shone, at that moment, with supernatural light.

Hearing that voice, the poor mother opened her eyes, met Luigi’s look, and smiled; but Luigi himself gave a cry of horror; he scarcely recognized his wife, now half mad.  With a gesture of savage energy he showed her the gold.  Ginevra began to laugh mechanically; but suddenly she cried, in a dreadful voice:—­

“The child, Luigi, he is cold!”

She looked at her son and swooned.  The little Bartolomeo was dead.  Luigi took his wife in his arms, without removing the child, which she clasped with inconceivable force; and after laying her on the bed he went out to seek help.

“Oh! my God!” he said, as he met his landlord on the stairs.  “I have gold, gold, and my child has died of hunger, and his mother is dying, too!  Help me!”

He returned like one distraught to his wife, leaving the worthy mason, and also the neighbors who heard him to gather a few things for the needs of so terrible a want, hitherto unknown, for the two Corsicans had carefully hidden it from a feeling of pride.

Luigi had cast his gold upon the floor and was kneeling by the bed on which lay his wife.

“Father! take care of my son, who bears your name,” she was saying in her delirium.

“Oh, my angel! be calm,” said Luigi, kissing her; “our good days are coming back to us.”

“My Luigi,” she said, looking at him with extraordinary attention, “listen to me.  I feel that I am dying.  My death is natural; I suffered too much; besides, a happiness so great as mine has to be paid for.  Yes, my Luigi, be comforted.  I have been so happy that if I were to live again I would again accept our fate.  I am a bad mother; I regret you more than I regret my child—­ My child!” she added, in a hollow voice.

Two tears escaped her dying eyes, and suddenly she pressed the little body she had no power to warm.