"See how he loves his mother!" cried Vanda."Come and kiss me, my kitten.No, it is not your grandfather you are to thank, but monsieur, who is good enough to lend me one.I am to have it to-morrow.How are they made, monsieur?"Godefroid, at a sign from the old man, explained an accordion at length, while sipping the tea which Auguste brought him and which was in truth, exquisite.
About half-past ten o'clock he retired, weary of beholding the desperate struggle of the son and father, admiring their heroism, and the daily, hourly patience with which they played their double parts, each equally exhausting.
"Well," said Monsieur Bernard, who followed him home, "you now see, monsieur, the life I live.I am like a thief, on the watch all the time.A word, a gesture might kill my daughter; a mere gewgaw less than she is accustomed to seeing about her would reveal all to that mind that can penetrate everything.""Monsieur," replied Godefroid, "on Monday next Halpersohn shall pronounce upon your daughter.He has returned.I myself doubt the possibility of any science being able to revive that body.""Oh! I don't expect that," cried the father; "all I ask is that her life be made supportable.I felt sure, monsieur, of your sympathy, and I see that you have indeed comprehended everything--Ah! there's the attack coming on!" he exclaimed, as the sound of a cry came through the partition; "she went beyond her strength."Pressing Godefroid's hand, the old man hurriedly returned to his own rooms.
At eight o'clock the next morning Godefroid knocked at the door of the celebrated Polish doctor.He was shown by a footman to the first floor of a little house Godefroid had been examining while the porter was seeking and informing the footman.