When death came
to poor Herbert, he could lie in the yard behind the house; for
Boris they meditated a resting-place under the tree where our
horses were tethered. There was nothing to keep me, and I rose;
but as I rose, I heard the forester's voice call plaintively for
me. The unlucky fellow knew me well, and now cried to me to sit
by him. I think Sapt wanted me to leave him, but I could not
refuse his last request, even though it consumed some precious
minutes. He was very near his end, and, sitting by him, I did my
best to soothe his passing. His fortitude was good to see, and I
believe that we all at last found new courage for our enterprise
from seeing how this humble man met death. At least even the
constable ceased to show impatience, and let me stay till I could
close the sufferer's eyes.
But thus time went, and it was nearly five in the morning before
I bade them farewell and mounted my horse. They took theirs and
led them away to the stables behind the lodge; I waved my hand
and galloped off on my return to the castle. Day was dawning, and
the air was fresh and pure. The new light brought new hope; fears
seemed to vanish before it; my nerves were strung to effort and
to confidence.
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