"My dear young lady," he says, very gravely, "it is very painful for me to have such a sad task to perform; but I cannot reconcile it with my conscience not to tell you that, in all human probability, you have not many more days to live." Through the thick veil of her weakness and its attendant apathy pierces the sting of that awful news: her eyes dilate in their horror and fear, and she falls to weeping, feebly and helplessly. "Don't say that--it is not true. How unkind you are! I don't want to die; I'm so young; I have had so little pleasure!" "We must submit to God's will," says the doctor, a little tritely. It is so easy to submit to God's will towards one's friends and acquaintance. She does not answer, but raises her hands with difficulty to her wasted face, while the tears trickle hot and frequent through that poor white shield. "Have you any relations that you would like to have sent for?" inquires Mr. Brand, not unkindly; stooping over her, rather moved, but not very much so. Often before has it been his portion to say, to youth and maid and stalwart man, "Thou must die!" "I have no relations," she answers, almost inaudibly. "Any friends?" "I have no friends." "You have, then, no wish to see any one?" "No. Stay," she says, as he turns to leave her, reaching out her hand to detain him; "are you _quite_ sure that I shall die?" (Her lips quiver, and a slight shudder passes over her form, as she utters the words, "Is it _quite_ certain?") "It is impossible to be _quite_ certain in any case," he answers, slowly; "while there is life, there is hope, you know; but--but--I cannot buoy you up with a false confidence." She lies quiet a moment or two, regathering her spent strength. "How long do you think I shall live?" "It is impossible to say exactly," he replies, gravely. "A few days--a few hours; one cannot be certain which." Again she is silent, exhausted with the slight effort of framing a sentence. "Ask Mr. Gerard to come and see me--_now--at once--before I die!_" He looks at her in astonishment, with a half-suspicion that she is light-headed; but her eyes look back at him with such perfect sanity in their clear depths, that he must needs abandon that idea. He cannot choose but undertake her commission at her bidding.