He only groaned and looked at something beside the bed.

Jeanne offered him a glass of water, but he shook his head.

She was in despair because she could not understand.

Ah! the Crucifix! the Crucifix! The sister lifted the light from the ground; Jeanne held out the Crucifix to Piero, who, pressing his lips to it, gazed at her, gazed at her with those great glassy eyes, from which death looked forth.

The sister gave a cry and ran to call the Padre.