He then tore his handkerchief into strips, and tying them together, lowered the body gently down.

Throwing a little earth over it, he hastened to the sick man, and told him what he had done.

A smile of satisfaction illumined the sufferer's countenance, and holding out his hand, on which a valuable ring glistened, he said, "Take it--it is but a poor reward for the service you have rendered me;--nay, take it," he added, seeing that the apprentice hesitated; "others will not be so scrupulous." Unable to gainsay the remark, Leonard took the ring from his finger and placed it on his own.

At this moment, the sick man's gaze fell upon Nizza, who stood at a little distance from him.

He started, and made an effort to clear his vision.
"Do my eyes deceive me ?" he cried, "or is a female standing there ?" "You are not deceived," replied Leonard.
"Let her come near me, in Heaven's name!" cried the sick man, staring at her as if his eyes would start from their sockets.