Children of the World - 1882 Author:Paul Heyse Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER VII. The day was scarcely breaking when the door of the tub was softly opened and the herculean form of Heinrich Mohr took leave of Edwin with a silen... more »t shake of the hand. Late on the preceding evening he had come in order to ascertain whether Christiane had arrived safely at home, and being reassured by the light in her room, he had thought to calm the day's excitement by a visit to Balder and a quiet game of chess. When he heard and saw the poor boy's state, he could not be dissuaded from sitting up the whole night. Franzelius had rushed off to fetch the doctor immediately on Edwin's return. He found Marquard's door locked, and the servant had said with a significant smile that his master was not likely to return home that night. He had therefore hunted up another doctor, the next best that could be found, who had prescribed what was necessary; after which the night had passed quietly and without any fresh attack. The friends, both deeply shaken by the sudden shock, had scarcely exchanged a word during all these long hours, but had seated themselves close to the turning-lathe, each with a book which neither of them read, while they listened anxiously to the youbh's uncertain breathing. Only towards morning did the sleep which hadbeen procured by opium become more peaceful and natural. Now Edwin insisted on Mohr's going away and trying to make up a little for his sleepless night; he only begged him to leave in passing a note at Toinette's house. It contained the following words : " Do not expect me to-day. Whilst I was enjoying life in great draughts, death has knocked at our door. We still hope to defend our fortress against him, but till we are quite certain of this, I shall not leave my post at Balder's side. Whether I can forget you, whatever fate may befall me, ...« less