The house was melancholy, for every one in it was gloomy and unhappy; they shunned each other; the two brothers met at meals, but those meals were short and unsociable; each feared to inquire into particulars they had reason to dread; yet they heard Claudina was better. The third day, when torturing suspense, and disappointed love, had worn Ferdinand almost to a shadow, Ernest entered the room: "I am come, Sir, from Madame Claudina."
"What (cried the other) have you been admitted?"
"I was sent for, Sir, and have had a long conversation."
"O, tell me, quickly tell, the result, my mind is in tumults."
"I know it, Sir, and therefore am I come. Pray, Heaven, that what I have to relate may compose it. I received an order to attend on your Lady; I obeyed, and my old heart ached to see the ravages grief had made. She ordered every one from the room; she was sitting on the side of the bed:
