A greyhound appeared to think differently, for he had placed his fore-paws upon his young mistress's lap, and was attempting to thrust his lean muzzle between her arms and to lick her face in token of canine sympathy.

The merchant paused irresolutely for a moment, and then ascending the broad staircase he pushed open the door of Harston's room and entered.
The blinds were drawn down and the chamber was very dark.

A pungent whiff of disinfectants issued from it, mingled with the dank, heavy smell of disease.

The bed was in a far corner.

Without seeing him, Girdlestone could hear the fast laboured breathing of the invalid.
A trimly dressed nurse who had been sitting by the bedside rose, and, recognizing the visitor, whispered a few words to him and left the room.
He pulled the cord of the Venetian blind so as to admit a few rays of daylight.