His left hand
rested on the counterpane. There was an emerald ring on one finger. He
was like some beautiful flower cut down. I can see him now.
"The woman lifted her head and saw me. She had a noble face, though now
distorted and wild.
"She cried, 'Tell me he is not dead! tell me he is not dead!' and when I
did not reply, the poor creature gave a wild cry, and her senses left
her. We carried her into another room.
"While the women were bringing her to, an official came to insist on the
interment taking place. They are terribly expeditious in the South of
France.
"This caused an altercation, and the poor lady rushed out; and finding
the officer peremptory, flung her arms round the body, and said they
should not be parted--she would be buried with him.
"The official was moved, but said the law was strict, and the town must
conduct the funeral unless she could find the sad courage to give the
necessary instructions. With this he was going out, inexorable, when all
of a sudden I observed something that sent my heart into my mouth, and I
cried 'Arretez!' so loud that everybody stared.
"I said, 'You must wait till a physician has seen him; he has moved a
finger.
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