Mrs. Ridley lay with her eyes shut, but the nurse knew by the
expression of her face that she was not asleep. The paleness of her
countenance had given way to a fever hue, and she noticed occasional
restless movements of the hands, twitches of the eyelids and nervous
starts. To her questions the patient gave no satisfactory answers.
An hour elapsed, and still the doctor did not make his appearance.
The servant was called and questioned. She was positive about having
left word for the doctor to come immediately on returning home.
"Is that snow?" inquired Mrs. Ridley, starting up in bed and
listening. The wind had risen suddenly and swept in a gusty dash
against the windows, rattling on the glass the fine hard grains
which had been falling for some time.
She remained leaning on her arm and listening for some moments,
while an almost frightened look came into her face.
"What time is it?" she asked.
"After eleven o'clock," replied the nurse.
All at once the storm seemed to have awakened into a wild fury. More
loudly it rushed and roared and dashed its sand-like snow against
the windows of Mrs. Ridley's chamber. The sick woman shivered and
the fever-flush died out of her face.
"You must lie down!" said the nurse, speaking with decision and
putting her hands on Mrs. Ridley to press her back. But the latter
resisted.
"Indeed, indeed, ma'am," urged the nurse, showing great anxiety,
"you must lie down and keep covered up in bed.
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