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"Oh, if I had a slight knowledge of surgery! But having none, the only thing I could do was to call for help.
"I ran on the landing; I screamed out with all my might,—
"'Help, help! Fire, fire! Help!'
"On the stairs my voice sounded like thunder.
"The porter was out of his lodge in an instant.
"I heard doors and windows opening. I again screamed out, 'Help!' and then, snatching up a bottle of cognac from the dining-room sideboard, I hurried back to my friend.
"I moistened his lips; I poured a few spoonfuls of brandy, drop by drop, down his mouth.
"Teleny opened his eyes again. They were veiled and almost dead; only that mournful look he always had, had increased to such an intensity that his pupils were as gloomy as a yawning grave; they thrilled me with an unutterable anguish. I could hardly stand that pitiful, stony look; I felt my nerves stiffen; my breath stopped; I burst out into a convulsive sobbing.
