The Princess was not so restless as most people are in fever, and she did not try to talk, but took whatever was given her like a model of resignation.

The delirium had left her for the present.
Reading slowly, and often meditating on what she read, Sister Giovanna did not finish the office for the day and close her book till nearly midnight.

Her old watch lay on the table beside the candlestick, and her eyes were on the hands as she waited till it should be exactly twelve before taking the patient's temperature again.

But it still wanted three minutes of the hour when the Princess's voice broke the profound silence.

The words were spoken quietly, in a far-away tone: 'I stole it.' Sister Giovanna started more nervously than a nurse should, and looked straight at the screen as if she could see her aunt's face through the leather.