self after her. In the first chamber was the small bed of the countess, with the blanket thrown aside, and left just a moment before; in the next room lay the count. He was breathing or rather rattling loudly, for he was unconscious; there was bloody foam on his lips, and his face was livid.
In a moment Augustinovich ran in, uncombed and hardly dressed. Both occupied themselves with the sick man without regard to the young girl, who had knelt at the foot of the bed, and was nearly unconscious.
All at once Yosef and Augustinovich looked each other in the eyes; both had seen that there was not the least hope.
"O my God! my God! Call in some one else, perhaps," burst out the countess, in tears.
"Run for Skotnitski," cried Yosef.
Augustinovich ran, although he felt certain that on returning with the doctor he would not find the count among the living.
Meanwhile Yosef, with all energy and presence of mind, worked at the patient. He bled him; then, looking at the clock, declared that the attack was over.
"Thank God! There is hope then?" cried the countess.
