"Then." He then figured in the same manner a more limited and slower
movement, and after repeating it several times, said, "Now." Lastly,
he pointed straight before him with a motionless and almost menacing
finger, and said with a weak voice, "Soon."

He spoke no more, and closed his eyes. The breathing was becoming
very difficult.

Ellen bent, over him, and called him softly, "Henry, Henry!" He
opened his eyes. She brought her mouth close to his ear, and said,
with a sob, "I have always loved you."

"I knew it from the first," he said, quietly and with confidence.

A gentle expression stole over his countenance, and life seemed to
return. Once more he had the confident look of youth. A sad and
beautiful smile played on his lips; he took the hand of Ellen in
his, and kissed it gently.

"How do you feel now?" inquired Hermann.

The old answer, "Very well."

His hands were plucking at the bedclothes, as if he strove to cover
his face with them. Then his arms stiffened and the fingers remained
motionless.

"Very well," he repeated.

He appeared to fall into deep thought. There was a long pause. At