After Etienne's steps stopped being heard, Miralez let out a cry of complaint.

 - Oh God! — exclaimed the servant. — I'll go get the countess right away.

— Go, go soon, soon — said the sick man, letting out another wail.

— What are you missing? — asked Countess Manzanil after coming to the appellant out of breath.

— What's missing? - I do not really know; I'm in pain, my neck is burning, my stomach is burning, it's like I've swallowed fire!

And his eyes looked at the cup that was beside him.

— What have you been drinking? — asked the Spaniard.

— Warm wine.

— It doesn't cause such pain.

— There's still a little left in the cup, — said Miralez.

Mrs. Manzanil tasted the residue in the cup.

— It's terribly bitter, — he said.

— Yes, isn't it?

— Who gave it to you?

— Etienne.

— Etienne! — exclaimed the Spaniard. — Was it Etienne? Am I already out of my mind! Are you sure it was Etienne?

— Ask Josef!

— Did you see it? Can you swear it?

— Yes, I saw Etienne give something to drink.

— Lorenzo, heaven save us! That man has poisoned you!

- What do you say? Poisoned? My God! So it's poison that burns. Yes, I feel it now! Enriquita, take it away, have the wine examined, there is poison in it. That bastard! He wanted to get rid of me to fuck Rose-Marie! … My head is splitting open… Doctor, priest… run so I can get the rip… Run! ... No, listen, my body must be cut up... to find out that I was poisoned I swear it!

- I swear! Die in peace; for you we take revenge!

Then a flash of joy shone in Miralez's eyes. But the cocaine started to do its job. He began to lose consciousness.

— Will he die too? There are proofs... the residue in the cup, the letter to the apothecary... Josef saw... He must die too!

His eyes darkened. The doctor arrived. Miralez dimly dismissed him.

— My father, I want to kill myself, he said to the doctor... I want to confess... it is I myself who am poison...

But his eyes cleared for a moment. Terrified, he tossed in his bed.

- Who are you? … Go your way!

He still tried to evict the doctor, but his strength failed him. He just realized that wax candles were lit at the head of his bed.

— It's over — said the doctor.

Mrs. Manzanil read aloud De profundis . Then he took the cup, asked the police chamber and left.

* * * * *

After leaving Miralez's, Etienne ran to the train and arrived at Tea.

He knocked on No. 29. A woman opened up

— Does Miss Sartilly live here?

Wasn't there.

A moment later, he knocked on number 39. This time it was a nun at the door

— Does Miss Sartilly live here?

— He won't take it, — cried the nun.

And the door closed slowly. — Etienne stood in the street; gazing at the wall that surrounded his beloved.

— Am I never allowed to see him again? No, that would be too cruel!

He examined the house and noticed a plaque on the wall of the opposite house and stepped inside.

Is there a room for rent here?

— Yes, it is, here on the ground floor.

Etienne entered there and saw house no. 39 through the window.

— What is he doing here, — thought Etienne. — Why doesn't he accept?

The door was stuck. Etienne looked at the windows. They did not show

Geneviève's sweet head.

— Does he never go out? — he thought. — Does he always stay in that prison?

It was getting dark and Etienne had to go to rest. During the night he pondered

how to get to Geneviève's speeches. The next morning dawned bright.

And at 9 o'clock Etienne decisively knocked on the door of No. 39. A nun opened.

Etienne took on a startled expression, quickly saying:

— Can I see Miss Sartilly? I come from Sargos. His guardian has sent me: it is very urgent. — At the same time, he seriously pushed the door, stepping inside.

— You're coming with Mrs. Manzanil's permission, I suppose? — asked the nun.

— Of course.

— Do well and sit down. I will inform Miss Sartilly.

Enriquita had not yet informed her niece of Miralez's death.

— So it's a message from my uncle? — said Geneviève to the nun. — Ask him to enter!