His voice ceased, and in place of it rose the sound of his tongue moistening his palate. Bianca, from behind, placed a glass of barley-water to his lips. He drank it with a slow, clucking noise; then, seeing that a hand held the glass, said: “Is that you? Are you ready for me? Follow. 'In those days no one leaped up to meet pale riding Death; no one saw in her face that she was brotherhood incarnate; no one with a heart as light as gossamer kissed her feet, and, smiling, passed into the Universe.'” His voice died away, and when next he spoke it was in a quick, husky whisper: “I must--I must--I must---” There was silence; then he added: “Give me my trousers.” Bianca placed them by his bed. The sight seemed to reassure him. He was once more silent. For more than an hour after this he was so absolutely still that Bianca rose continually to look at him. Each time, his eyes, wide open, were fixed on a little dark mark across the ceiling; his face had a look of the most singular determination, as though his spirit were slowly, relentlessly, regaining mastery over his fevered body. He spoke suddenly: “Who is there?” “Bianca.” “Help me out of bed!” The flush had left his face, the brilliance had faded from his eyes; he looked just like a ghost. With a sort of terror Bianca helped him out of bed. This weird display of mute white will-power was unearthly. When he was dressed in his woollen gown and seated before the fire, she gave him a cup of strong beef-tea, with brandy. He swallowed it with great avidity. “I should like some more of that,” he said, and fell asleep. While he was asleep Cecilia came, and the two sisters watched his slumber, and, watching it, felt nearer to each other than they had for many years. Before she went away Cecilia whispered-- “B. if he seems to want that little girl while he's like this, don't you think she ought to come?” Bianca answered: “I don't know where she is.” “I do.” “Ah!” said Bianca; “of course!” And she turned her head away. Disconcerted by that sarcastic little speech, Cecilia was silent; then, summoning all her courage, she said: “Here's the address, B. I've written it down for you;” and, with puckers of anxiety in her face, she left the room.