This was M.
Morrel's wish also, who would fain have conveyed the old man against his consent; but the old man resisted, and cried so that they were actually frightened.

Mercedes remained, therefore, by his bedside, and M.Morrel went away, making a sign to the Catalan that he had left his purse on the chimney-piece.

But availing himself of the doctor's order, the old man would not take any sustenance; at length (after nine days of despair and fasting), the old man died, cursing those who had caused his misery, and saying to Mercedes, 'If you ever see my Edmond again, tell him I die blessing him.'" The abbe rose from his chair, made two turns round the chamber, and pressed his trembling hand against his parched throat.

"And you believe he died"-- "Of hunger, sir, of hunger," said Caderousse.

"I am as certain of it as that we two are Christians." The abbe, with a shaking hand, seized a glass of water that was standing by him half-full, swallowed it at one gulp, and then resumed his seat, with red eyes and pale cheeks.