The one who entered first made a gesture to her companion, which riveted her to the spot where she stood, close to the door, and then resolutely advanced towards the bed, drew back the curtains along the iron rod, and threw them in thick folds behind the head of the bed.

She gazed upon the comte's pallid face; remarked his right hand enveloped in linen whose dazzling whiteness was emphasized by the counterpane patterned with dark leaves thrown across the couch.

She shuddered as she saw a stain of blood growing larger and larger upon the bandages.

The young man's breast was uncovered, as though for the cool night air to assist his respiration.

A narrow bandage fastened the dressings of the wound, around which a purplish circle of extravasated blood was gradually increasing in size.