It did not seem probable the fever would increase rapidly, although that thirty-seven point five had a black look.
He asked the invalid if the electric light troubled him.

Benedetto replied that materially it did not trouble him, but that spiritually it did, because it prevented his seeing the sky, the starry night.
"_Illuminatio mea,_" said he, softly.
The Professor did not understand, and made him repeat the words.

Then he asked him what his light was, and the feeble voice murmured, _"Nox."_ Mayda was not familiar with the Psalms, with the profound word of that ancient Hebrew, to whom our little sun seemed dark, the sun which conceals the higher world.

He understood, without understanding.

He remained reverently silent.
Benedetto sought the stars with his eyes.