Part 22 (1/2)

”Good heavens!” I e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed.

”He slowly approached my bed. I raised myself with my elbow, and said, 'You are welcome, father.'

”He came close, and regarded me fixedly, and it then appeared to me as if some sort of paternal solicitude was expressed in his face.”

”Go on,” I said; ”this is terrible!”

”Then his lips moved, and, though I could hear no sound, I seemed to hear his words distinctly, though distant as an echo.”

”What did he say?”

”'Think of G.o.d, my son!'

”'I shall be killed in this duel, then?' I asked.

”I saw the tears roll down the pallid visage of the spectre.

”'And at what hour?'

”He pointed towards the timepiece. I followed the direction of his finger. The clock showed ten minutes past nine.

”'So be it, my father,' I said; 'G.o.d's will be done. I leave my mother, but I rejoin you.'

”Then a faint smile pa.s.sed over his face, he waved me a sign of farewell and glided away.

”The door opened as he advanced towards it, and when he had disappeared it shut of its own accord.”

This recital was so simply and so naturally told, that it was evident to me the event had occurred just as de Franchi had related it, or he was the victim of an illusion, which he had believed to be real in consequence of the pre-occupation of his mind, and was therefore all the more terrible.

I wiped the perspiration from my forehead.

”Now,” continued Louis; ”you know my brother, don't you?”

”Yes.”

”What do you think he will do when he learns that I have been killed in a duel?”

”He will leave Sullacaro at once to challenge the man who has killed you.”

”Just so, and if he is killed in his turn, my mother will be thrice a widow; widowed by the loss of her husband, widowed by the loss of her two sons.”

”Ah! I understand. This is fearful!”

”Well, this must be avoided, and that is why I have written this letter. Believing that I have died from brain fever my brother will not seek to avenge me, and my mother will be the more easily consoled, knowing it was the will of G.o.d, and that I did not fall by the hand of man. At least----”

”At least what?” I repeated.

”Oh, nothing,” replied Louis. ”I hope that will not come to pa.s.s.”