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" why will you torment me with this horrible medicine, since I must die so soon?"

Maria had just said this, as Maximilian had entered the room. The physician stood before her holding in one hand a vial of medicine, in the other a little cup, in which foamed a very unpleasant-looking brownish liquid.

"My dearest friend," he said to Maximilian, "your presence is very much needed just now. I beg you try to induce Signora to swallow these few drops. I am in a great hurry."

"I beg you, Maria!" said Maximilian, in the soft voice which was not often heard from him, and which seemed to come from a pained heart, so that the patient, deeply moved, almost forgetting her own suffering, took the cup. But ere she put it to her mouth she said, smiling: "To reward me you will tell the story of Laurence?"

"All that you desire shall be done," assented Maximilian.

The pale lady drank the contents of the cup, half smiling, half shuddering.

"I am in a hurry," said the doctor, as he drew on his black gloves. "Lie down calmly, Signora