15Emilie lived for three days, but she never regained consciousness. Jeanne nursed her devotedly and Mistral was at her bedside practically the whole time, but there was nothing either of them could do. She had been put to bed in the Chateau d’Horizon and the Grand Duke sent for his own Doctor, but from the very moment he set eyes on Emilie his verdict was decisive and without hope.
‘This lady has had a severe stroke,’ he said, ‘and it is practically impossible for her to live for more than a few days. If by some miracle she does survive, she will be partially paralysed for the rest of her life.’
Mistral, watching Emilie sink deeper and deeper into unconsciousness, felt that this was the most merciful and kindest thing that could happen.
Her face was horribly distorted and it was even d
