why."

The other started, flushed, was silent, and then said: "You think I'm a
coward. We shall see. There is a way, but it may fail."

And though he sucked the diphtheria poison from the child's throat, it
died the next night.

Still, the cottage that Pierre and Company had won was handed back with
such good advice as only a worldwise adventurer can give.

Of the child's death its father did not know. They were not certain where
he was. But when the mother took to her bed again, the young doctor said
it was best that Brydon should come. Pierre had time and inclination to
go for him. But before he went he was taken to Judith's bedside. Pierre
had seen life and death in many forms, but never anything quite like
this: a delicate creature floating away upon a summer current travelling
in those valleys which are neither of this life nor of that; but where
you hear the echoes of both, and are visited by solicitous spirits. There
was no pain in her face--she heard a little, familiar voice from high and
pleasant hills, and she knew, so wise are the dying, that her husband was
travelling after her, and that they would be all together soon. But she
did not speak of that. For the knowledge born of such a time is locked up
in the soul.

Pierre was awe-stricken. Unconsciously he crossed himself.

"Tell him to come quickly," she said, "if you find him,"--her fingers
played with the coverlet,--"for I wish to comfort him. . . . Someone said
that you were bad, Pierre. I do not believe it. You were sorry when my