Tommy was by that time making good progress, and Stella, who till then had snatched her rest when and how she could, gave her charge into Peter's keeping and went to bed for the first time since her arrival at Kurrumpore.
Till she actually lay down she did not realize how utterly worn out she was, or how little the odd hours of sleep that she had been able to secure had sufficed her.

But as she laid her head upon the pillow, slumber swept upon her on soundless wings.

She slept almost before she had time to appreciate the exquisite comfort of complete repose.
That slumber of hers lasted for many hours.

She had given Peter express injunctions to awake her in good time in the morning, and she rested secure in the confidence that he would obey her orders.

But it was the light of advancing evening that filled the room when at last she opened her eyes.
There had come a break in the rain, and a bar of misty sunshine had penetrated a chink in the green blinds and lay golden across the Indian matting on the floor.