My darling, darling husband, rouse yourself,' and she knelt before his knees and prayed to him; 'for my sake do it; eat and drink that you may have the power of a man when all the world is looking at you.

If God forgives us our sins, surely we should so carry ourselves that men may not be ashamed to do so.' He did not answer her, but he turned to the table and broke the bread, and put his lips to the cup.

And then she gave him food as she would give it to a child, and he with a child's obedience ate and drank what was put before him.

As he did so, every now and again a single tear forced itself beneath his eyelid and trickled down his face, and in some degree Gertrude was comforted.
He had hardly finished his enforced breakfast when the cab and the lawyer came to the door.

The learned gentleman had the good taste not to come in, and so the servant told them that Mr.
Gitemthruet was there.
'Say that your master will be with him in a minute,' said Gertrude, quite coolly; and then the room door was again closed, and the husband and wife had now to say adieu.
Alaric rose from his chair and made a faint attempt to smile.
'Well, Gertrude,' said he, 'it has come at last.' She rushed into his embrace, and throwing her arms around him, buried her face upon his breast.