When he comes bring him upstairs here into my sitting-room." Before the servant could reply there came a knock at the front door.
Jane knew its sound--it was Doctor John's.

Leaning far over, grasping the top rail of the banisters to steady herself, she said to the servant in a low, restrained voice: "If that is Dr.Cavendish, please say to him that Martha is just home from Trenton, greatly fatigued, and I beg him to excuse me.

When the doctor has driven away, you can take the letter." She kept her grasp on the hand-rail until she heard the tones of his voice through the open hall door and caught the note of sorrow that tinged them.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! Poor Martha!" she heard him say.

"She is getting too old to go about alone.

Please tell Miss Jane she must not hesitate to send for me if I can be of the slightest service." Then she re-entered the room where Martha lay and closed the door.
Another and louder knock now broke the stillness of the chamber and checked the sobs of the nurse; Captain Holt had met Jane's servant as he was passing the gate.