All the strain and misery of the last few months poured itself out in terrified imaginings.

Wildly she besought those who watched beside her to keep Roger away from her, and when the fear of Roger was not present, the whole burden of her speech had been a pitiful, incessant crying out for Peter--Peter! Nothing would soothe her, and at last, in desperation, Kitty had gone to Mallory and begged him to come.

His first impulse had been to refuse, not realising the danger of Nan's illness.

Then, when it was made clear to him that her sole chance of life lay in his hands, he had stifled his own feelings and consented at once.
But when he came Nan did not even recognise him.

Instead, she gazed at him with dry, feverishly brilliant eyes and plucked at his coat-sleeve with restless fingers.
"Oh, you _look_ kind!" she had exclaimed piteously.