Finally, the door closed on the last of the revellers, and Mrs.Brenton stood for a moment giving instructions to the sleepy servants; then, with a tired sigh, she turned and went upstairs, Brenton walking by her side until they came to the darkened room, which she entered on tiptoe.
"Now," said Brenton to himself, "she will arouse me from this appalling dream." It was not that there was anything dreadful in the dream itself, but the clearness with which he saw everything, and the fact that his mind was perfectly wide awake, gave him an uneasiness which he found impossible to shake off.
In the dim light from the hall his wife prepared to retire.

The horrible thought struck Brenton that she imagined he was sleeping soundly, and was anxious not to awaken him--for of course she could have no realization of the nightmare he was in--so once again he tried to communicate with her.

He spoke her name over and over again, but she proceeded quietly with her preparations for the night.

At last she crept in at the other side of the bed, and in a few moments was asleep.

Once more Brenton struggled to awake, but with no effect.