She could now come down from her chamber only in tottering steps, as she supported herself by putting her two hands against the wall of the stairway.

But as soon as she realised she was being looked at, she made a great effort, and even persisted in wishing to finish the panel of heavy embroidery for the Bishop's seat.
Her little, slender hands had no more strength, and when she broke a needle she could not draw it from the work with the pincers.
One morning, when Hubert and Hubertine had been obliged to go out, and had left her alone at her work, the embroiderer, coming back first, had found her on the floor near the frame, where she had fallen from her chair after having fainted away.

She had at last succumbed before her task, one of the great golden angels being still unfinished.

Hubert took her in his arms, and tried to place her on her feet.

But she fell back again, and did not recover consciousness.
"My darling! My darling! Speak to me! Have pity on me!" At last she opened her eyes and looked at him in despair.