Almost before she knew it, the operation was over, and she regarded with equal curiosity the ostentatious solicitude with which the doctor seemed to be wiping his fateful instrument that bore an odd resemblance to a silver-handled centre-bit.
The stertorous breathing below the bandages had given way to a fainter but more natural respiration.

There was a moment of suspense.

The doctor's hand left the pulse and lifted the closed eyelid of the sufferer.

A slight movement passed over the figure.

The sluggish face had cleared; life seemed to struggle back into it before even the dull eyes participated in the glow.