Mademoiselle Armande was sick unto death.

I felt this on seeing her upon her bed, whiter than wax.
"Ah! if I were to live a hundred years, never should I forget her face as it looked at that moment.

It was expressive of a strength of will and an energy that would hold death at bay until the task upon which she had determined was performed.
"When I entered the room I saw a look of relief appear upon her countenance.
"'How long you were in coming!' she murmured faintly.
"I was about to make some excuse, when she motioned me to pause, and ordered the women who surrounded her to leave the room.
"As soon as we were alone: "'You are an honest boy,', said she, 'and I am about to give you a proof of my confidence.

People believe me to be poor, but they are mistaken.
While my relatives were gayly ruining themselves, I was saving the five hundred louis which the duke, my brother, gave me each year.' "She motioned me to come nearer, and to kneel beside her bed.
"I obeyed, and Mademoiselle Armande leaned toward me, almost glued her lips to my ear, and added: "'I possess eighty thousand francs.' "I felt a sudden giddiness, but my godmother did not notice it.
"'This amount,' she continued, 'is not a quarter part of the former income from our family estates.

But now, who knows but it will, one day, be the only resource of the Sairmeuse?
I am going to place it in your charge, Lacheneur.