A Fisher Girl of France by Fernand Calmettes

"Drink, I beg you, my old Barbet. Listen to your Elise. Drink a little -- very slowly -- but at least drink. You are all cold. It will warm you, old Barbet."

She offered him some drops of brandy in the palm of her hand. He paid no attention to it. His lips were closed and shrivelled, a very bad sign. On her return from the watch Elise had found him lying stiff and without breath, as if his soul had passed in his last cry of distress.