"Martha was still asleep. When I looked through the chink of the door into her room, I saw her lying with her head thrown far back on the pillow, and heard her short heavy breathing. "I crept away, quite easy in my mind, to take up my office as housekeeper forthwith. "'She shall no longer work herself to death,' I said to myself, and rejoiced in my heart. I spent fully an hour going the round of the premises, during which I formally took the management into my hands. The old housekeeper showed herself willing, and the servants treated me with respect. I should anyhow soon have enforced it for myself. "At the breakfast-table I met Robert. A slight palpitation, which overcame me on entering, ceased forthwith when I bethought myself of my yesterday's vow. Calmly, firmly looking into his eyes, I stepped up to him and gave him my hand. "'Is Martha still asleep?' I asked. "He shook his head. 'I have sent for the doctor.' he said, 'she has passed a bad night--the excitement of seeing you again seems not to have done her good.' "I felt somewhat alarmed; but my great resolve had so filled me with peace and happiness, that I would not give way to fear. "'Will you help yourself?' I asked, 'I should meanwhile like to look after her.' "When I entered her room, I found her still lying in the same position in which I had left her early in the morning, and as I approached the bed, I saw that she was staring up at the ceiling with wide-opened eyes. "I called out her name in terror; then a feeble smile came over her face, and feebly she turned towards me and looked into my eyes. "'Are you not feeling well, Martha?' "She shook her head wearily, and drew up her fingers slightly. That meant to say: 'Come and sit by me!' "And when I had taken her head in my arm a shudder suddenly ran through her whole body. Her teeth chattered audibly: 'Give me a warm cover.' she whispered, 'I am shivering so.' I did as she bade me, and once more sat down at her side. She clutched my hands, as if to warm herself by them. "'Have you slept well?' she asked, in the same hoarse falsetto voice which was quite strange to me in her. I nodded, and felt a hot sense of shame burn within me. What was my grand unselfish resolve, compared with this sort of noble self-forgetfulness, which was evident in every act, however great or small, and was inspired by the same love for everything? And I even prided myself on my lofty sentiments, conceited egotist that I was. "'How did you like the arrangement of your room?' she asked once more, while a gleam of slight playfulness broke from her mild, sad eyes. "In lieu of answer, I imprinted a grateful, humble kiss upon her lips. "'Yes, kiss me! Kiss me once more!' she said. 'Your mouth is so nice and hot, it warms one's body and soul through.' And again she shivered with cold. "A little later Robert came in. "'Get yourself ready, my child.' he said, stroking Martha's cheeks, 'our uncle, the doctor, is here.'