From the first moment she knew that all, and more than all, Elton had said was true.

She saw death unmistakable, inevitable, and close at hand, and reproached herself for not having come sooner.

But in that strange calm and stillness, even self-reproach seemed to be curbed and repressed--even a quickened beating of the heart would have been out of place.

So they remained until fully half an hour had passed, when the door of the room again opened; this time to admit the doctor.
He was an elderly man, kind, busy, and quick in his words and motions.
He came in briskly, and looked rather surprised at seeing Mrs.Costello.
She only bowed, however, and drew back as he came towards the bedside.
He was followed into the room by the jailer's wife, who had compassionately tended the prisoner ever since his illness increased.
Christian seemed to wake from his stupor, or dream, at the sound of the doctor's voice.

He answered the questions put to him mechanically but clearly, and with his old purity of accent and expression.