"MY DEAR, MY BELOVED ARANKA:--Your noble words still ring in my ears,--'Do what your heart bids you.' I have done it. Forgive me for causing you pain by my death. I would have you, while you weep for me, still be comforted. Do not sadden your little ones by showing them a sorrowful face. You know how quickly sadness in you affects them, and how you are thus in danger of blighting the joy of their innocent young lives. Be good to my mother and brothers; they will care for you. Veil the little portrait for awhile, that it may not too often bring to mind sad thoughts of the past. I will spare you the pain of reading more. I would leave you in such a way that you may not be bowed down with grief at my going. I send you a kiss through the air; it will reach you from the heavens above. May God keep you for ever. Even in death, "Your ever loving "EUGEN." To his mother the young man sent the following message: "MY DEAR, MY ADORED MOTHER:--The words with which I parted from you I now repeat once more,--I love you. You no longer fear that Aranka's little ones will come to want, do you? Heaven has ordered all things well,--both for him who dies, and for those that are left behind. You have a strong nature, an exalted soul, and I need not leave you any strength of mine. The mother of the Gracchi received into her arms her murdered sons, and wept not. For those that die a glorious death their mothers need shed no tears,--so you have told us. Therefore, do not mourn. With true Christian submission say, 'Father, thy will be done!' And bear no one any malice because of my death; forgive even her who by her accusation has driven me to an early grave, and do not let her know how much good she has really done by her criminal act. She has made death easy for me, and I thank her. I die at peace with all the world, and I trust that no one harbours any ill will against me. An hour more, and I shall have joined my father up yonder. Of us three boys, you both showed me the greatest affection. When I was small and you used to fall out with each other, I was often the means of effecting a reconciliation. Now once more that shall be my mission. They are calling me. May God preserve you, dear mother. Your loving son, "EUGEN." Only a subdued sobbing was heard as they read their letters and exchanged them. In the next room was a stranger who must not hear any loud lamentation. But why did he linger? Who was to go and ask him?