It was a nightmare, but it has gone." Michael bent forward and kissed her.
"Yes, mother," he said, "it has all gone." She was silent a moment.
"Is your father here ?" she said.
"No; but he will come at once, if you would like to see him." "Yes, send for him, dear, if it would not vex him to come," she said; "or get somebody else to send; I don't want you to leave me." "I'm not going to," said he.
The nurse went to the door, gave some message, and presently returned to the other side of the bed.

Then Lady Ashbridge spoke again.
"Is this death ?" she asked.
Michael raised his eyes to the figure standing by the bed.

She nodded to him.
He bent forward again.
"Yes, dear mother," he said.
For a moment her eyes dilated, then grew quiet again, and the smile returned to her mouth.
"I'm not frightened, Michael," she said, "with you there.

It isn't lonely or terrible." She raised her head.
"My son!" she said in a voice loud and triumphant.

Then her head fell back again, and she lay with face close to his, and her eyelids quivered and shut.