By degrees Madame D'Alembert grew composed, and the conversation then turned upon her deep regret at not arriving in time to behold her mother;—from Madeline, who, she understood, had attended her in her last moments, she entreated to hear the particulars of the disorder which had terminated so fatally. Father Bertrand, who had seated himself at the foot of the bed, now interposed his authority; he knew it would scarcely be possible for Madeline, if she complied with this entreaty, to avoid giving a too faithful narrative, and he therefore declared, that except she and Madame D'Alembert promised to converse no longer on the melancholy subject, they should be separated. "Why (said he, to the latter) do you feed your own grief, and augment her's, by dwelling on it?"
"I promise what you desire, (cried Madame D'Alembert) but Oh! let me be indulged by hearing, whether in her last moments my mother remembered her unhappy Viola!"
