Page:Teleny, or The Reverse of the Medal, t. II.djvu/197

 tightly shut. Still, after a few moments, he opened his mouth spasmodically; he gasped. He uttered a low, choking, raucous sound.

"It was his last breath. Death's awful rattle.

"The room was hushed.

"I saw the people cross themselves. Some women knelt, and began to mumble prayers.

"A horrible light dawned upon me.

"What! He is dead, then?

"His head fell lifeless on my chest.

"I uttered a shrill cry. I called for help.

"A doctor had come at last.

He is beyond help,' the doctor said; 'he is dead.'

"What! My Teleny dead?

"I looked around at the people. Aghast, they seemed to shrink from me. The room began to spin round. I knew nothing more. I had fainted.

"I only came back to my senses after some weeks. A certain dulness had come over me, and the

'Earth seemed a desert I was bound to traverse.'