The roar of the pines grew louder and the room grew cold, but while the minutes slipped by Alton slept peacefully, with the hand of the woman he had dispossessed in his, and she forgetting her fatigue watched him with eyes that filled with tenderness.
Still, she was not more than a woman, and at last the eyes grew hazy, while every joint ached.

There was a horrible cramp in her shoulder, and to lessen it she moved a trifle so that her arm rested on the pillow.

That was easier, and while she struggled with her weariness her head followed it, until it sank down close by Alton's shoulder.
Then for five minutes she fought with her weakness, and was vanquished, for her head settled lower into its resting place, and her eyes closed.
It was some little time later when Seaforth came very softly into the room, and stopped with a little gasp.

He could just see his comrade's face, and it was still and serene, but there was a gleam of red-gold hair beside it on the coverlet, and now a shapely arm was flung protectingly about the sick man's shoulder.

The girl was also very still, and a little flush of colour crept into Seaforth's face as he stooped above her and saw the clasped hands.
"Thank God!" he said.
Then he moved backwards on tiptoe towards Deringham's room, but apparently changed his intention, and presently knocked at the doctor's door.
"Time's up, and I thought I'd better rouse you," he said.