animation; but I saw at a glance that the wretched creature was dying,
and it was not without a profound sense of pity that I took her by the
arm.

"Leave madame alone--don't touch her," cried the young man with
irritation.

"I am a surgeon, monseigneur."

He looked in silence at me for a moment, then rising, said--

"Pardon me, sir; pray forgive my hasty language."

He trembled with excitement, scarcely yet subdued, and presently he went
on--

"What is your opinion, sir?"

"It is over--she is dead!"

Then, without speaking another word, he sat upon a large stone, with his
forehead resting upon his hand and his elbow on his knee, his eyes
motionless, as still as a statue.

I sat near the fire, watching the flames rising to the vaulted roof of
the cave, and casting lurid reflections upon the rigid features of the
corpse.

We had sat there an hour as motionless as statues, each deep in thought,
when, suddenly lifting his head, the baron said--