bed. Who could it be? I closed my eyes and listened to the
rustling of withered leaves outside the window, and the low
humming of insects in the autumn sun. These were prophetic
sounds, and they opened the gates of thought and memory. A
new life was coming now. What was it to be? Again I felt
myself drifting into sleep. I tried to keep my eyes open and
resist the drowsiness that overcame me, but in vain. When I
awoke Rayel had returned.

"You have slept a long time," said he.

"When I fell asleep a lady was here."

"Yes, it was our 'Woman,'" he replied--"the lady you love.
She has come every day to see you."

"Where is she now?"

"She had to go away, but she will soon come back again."

"Who brought me here?"

"I broke down the door--I found you there. You could not see
me nor speak to me, but I knew you were not dead. The men
were gone. I carried you out into the street. A policeman
met me, and I told him what had happened. Then the ambulance
came and we put you into it, and you were brought here. For
a long time you lay like my father after he was dead. Your
face was white--like snow. They had stabbed you in the
side--they would have killed you if I had not broken the