Rodin wrote: "Get everything ready.I have still some orders to write.
Let me know when it is time."
Then folding up a paper, which he had sealed with a wafer, Rodin gave these words to Father d'Aigrigny: "Send this note instantly to the agent who addressed the anonymous letters to Marshal Simon."
"Instantly, reverend father," replied the abbe; "I will employ a sure messenger."
"Reverend father," said Baleinier to Rodin, "since you must write, lie down in bed, and write there, during our little preparations."
Rodin made an affirmative gesture, and rose.But already the prognostics of the doctor were realized.The Jesuit could hardly remain standing for a second; he fell back into a chair, and looked at Dr.Baleinier with anguish, whilst his breathing became more and more difficult.
The doctor said to him: "Do not be uneasy.But we must make haste.Lean upon me and Father d'Aigrigny."
Aided by these two supporters, Rodin was able to regain the bed.Once there, he made signs that they should bring him pen, ink, and paper.
Then he continued to write upon his knees, pausing from time to time, to breathe with great difficulty.
"Reverend father," said Baleinier to d'Aigrigny, "are you capable of acting as one of my assistants in the operation? Have you that sort of courage?"
"No," said the reverend father; "in the army I could never assist at an amputation.The sight of blood is too much for me."
"There will be no blood," said the doctor, "but it will be worse.Please send me three of our reverend fathers to assist me, and ask M.Rousselet to bring in the apparatus."
Father d'Aigrigny went out.The prelate approached the doctor, and whispered, pointing to Rodin: "Is he out of danger?"
"If he stands the operation--yes, my lord."
"Are you sure that he can stand it?"
"To him I should say `yes,' to you `I hope so.'"
`And were he to die, would there be time to administer the sacraments in public, with a certain pomp, which always causes some little delay?"
"His dying may continue, my lord--a quarter of an hour."
"It is short, but we must be satisfied with that," said the prelate.
And, going to one of the windows, he began to tap with his fingers on the glass, while he thought of the illumination effects, in the event of Rodin's lying in state.At this moment, Rousselet entered, with a large square box under his arm.He placed it on the drawers, and began to arrange his apparatus.
"How many have you prepared?" said the doctor.
"Six, sir."
"Four will do, but it is well to be fully provided.The cotton is not too thick?"
"Look, sir."
"Very good."
"And how is the reverend father?" asked the pupil.
"Humph!" answered the doctor, in a whisper."The chest is terribly clogged, the respiration hissing, the voice gone--still there is a change."
"All my fear is, sir, that the reverend father will not be able to stand the dreadful pain."
"It is another chance; but, under the circumstances, we must risk all.
Come, my dear boy, light the--taper; I hear our assistants."
Just then Father d'Aigrigny entered the room, accompanied by the three Jesuits, who, in the morning, had walked in the garden.The two old men, with their rosy cheeks, and the young one, with the ascetic countenance, all three dressed in black, with their square caps and white bands, appeared perfectly ready to assist Dr.Baleinier in his formidable operation.