Paul started.

To his horror, Yerba ran impulsively forward, and said eagerly: "Is he better?
Can he see us now ?" The woman halted an instant, seemed to gather the prayer-book and reticule she was carrying closer to her breast, but was otherwise unchanged.

Replying to Paul rather than the young girl, she said rigidly: "The patient is able to see Mr.Hathaway and Miss Yerba Buena," and passed slowly on.

But as she reached the door she unloosed her black mourning veil from her bonnet, and seemed to drop it across her face with the gesture that Paul remembered she had used twelve years ago.
"She frightens me!" said Yerba, turning a suddenly startled face on Paul.

"Oh, Paul, I hope it isn't an omen, but she looked like some one from the grave!" "Hush!" said Paul, turning away a face that was whiter than her own.
"They are coming now." The house surgeon had returned a trifle graver.