The screams of Natalie brought the _concierge_ from below and the maids
from above, and an attempt was made to raise the unfortunate man from
the ground; but with cries of anguish he besought them to desist.
"Let me," he said, "die here. O God! what a dreadful vengeance is thine!
Natalie, Natalie," he exclaimed to his wife, who was kneeling beside
him, "to win fame, and fortune, and yourself, I committed a dreadful
crime. With lying words I argued away the life of a fellow-creature,
whom, whilst I uttered them, I half believed to be innocent; and now,
when I have attained all I desired and reached the summit of my hopes,
the Almighty has sent him back upon the earth to blast me with the sight.
Three times this day--three times this day! Again! Again! Again!" And
as he spoke, his wild and dilated eyes fixed themselves on one of the
individuals that surrounded him.
"He is delirious," said they.
"No," said the stranger, "what he says is true enough, at least in
part." And, bending over the expiring man, he added, "May Heaven
forgive you, Antoine de Chaulieu! I am no apparition, but the veritable
Jacques Rollet, who was saved by one who well knew my innocence.
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