The Count of Monte Cristo

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Saint-Meran has fallen a victim?"

"I did. Madame de Saint-Meran had three successive attacks, at intervals
of some minutes, each one more serious than the former. When you
arrived, Madame de Saint-Meran had already been panting for breath some
minutes; she then had a fit, which I took to be simply a nervous attack,
and it was only when I saw her raise herself in the bed, and her
limbs and neck appear stiffened, that I became really alarmed. Then
I understood from your countenance there was more to fear than I had
thought. This crisis past, I endeavored to catch your eye, but could
not. You held her hand--you were feeling her pulse--and the second fit
came on before you had turned towards me. This was more terrible than
the first; the same nervous movements were repeated, and the mouth
contracted and turned purple."

"And at the third she expired."