“So,” he cried in a smothered tone, as if he were strangling—­“so you will look on and see your father perish?  A word would restore him to life, and you refuse to speak that one word?”

“Life is not in the hand of man, for it is God’s gift; my word can be of no avail.”

“Those are nothing but pious maxims,” answered the count scornfully, “to release you from your plain duty.  But has not God said, ’Honour thy father and thy mother?’”

“I do honour you,” she replied gently.  “But it is my duty not to marry.”

I could hear the grinding and gnashing of the man’s teeth.  He lay apparently calm, but presently turned abruptly and cried—­

“Leave me; the sight of you is offensive to me!”

And addressing me as I stood by agitated with conflicting feelings—­

“Doctor,” he cried with a savage grin, “have you any violent malignant poison about you to give me—­something that will destroy me like a thunderbolt?  It would be a mercy to poison me like a dog, rather than let me suffer as I am doing.”

His features writhed convulsively, his colour became livid.

Odile rose and advanced to the door.

“Stay!” he howled furiously—­“stay till I have cursed you!”

So far I had stood by without speaking, not venturing to interfere between Father and Daughter, but now I could refrain no longer.

“Monseigneur,” I cried, “for the sake of your own health, for the sake of mere justice and fairness, do calm yourself; your life is at stake.”

“What matters my life? what matters the future?  Is there a knife here to put an end to me?  Let me die!”

His excitement rose every minute.  I seemed to dread lest in some frenzied moment he should spring from the bed and destroy his child’s life.  But she, calm though deadly pale, knelt at the door, which was standing open, and outside I could see Sperver, whose features betrayed the deepest anxiety.  He drew near without noise, and bending towards Odile—­

“Oh, mademoiselle!” he whispered—­“mademoiselle, the count is such a worthy, good man.  If you would but just say only, ’Perhaps—­by-and-by—­we will see.’”

She made no reply, and did not change her attitude.

At this moment I persuaded the Lord of Nideck to take a few drops of Laudanum; he sank back with a sigh, and soon his panting and irregular breathing became more measured under the influence of a deep and heavy slumber.

Odile arose, and her aged friend, who had not opened her lips, went out with her.  Sperver and I watched their slowly retreating figures.  There was a calm grandeur in the step of the young countess which seemed to express a consciousness of duty fulfilled.

When she had disappeared down the long corridor Gideon turned towards me.

“Well, Fritz,” he said gravely, “what is your opinion?”

I bent my head down without answering.  This girl’s incredible firmness astonished and bewildered me.