Second Part Chapter 57

"Ah!" she cried, "have them in at once if they can save me, if there
is still time. The passion which hurried me to death now cries for
life!" "But what have you done to yourself?"

"I have in a few days brought myself to the last stage of
consumption."

"But how?" "I got myself into a profuse perspiration in the night, and then ran
out and lay down by the side of the lake in the dew. Gaston thinks I
have a cold, and I am dying!" "Send him to Paris; I will fetch the doctors myself," I said, as I
rushed out wildly to the spot where I had left them.

Alas! my love, after the consultation was over, not one of the doctors
gave me the least hope; they all believe that Louise will die with the
fall of the leaves. The dear child's constitution has wonderfully
helped the success of her plan. It seems she has a predisposition to
this complaint; and though, in the ordinary course, she might have
lived a long time, a few days' folly has made the case desperate.

I cannot tell you what I felt on hearing this sentence, based on such
clear explanations. You know that I have lived in Louise as much as in
my own life. I was simply crushed, and could not stir to escort to the
door these harbingers of evil. I don't know how long I remained lost
in bitter thoughts, the tears running down my cheeks, when I was
roused from my stupor by the words: