But that is not all. For some reason the moment
possessed an importance for her which I could not measure. I saw it in
her posture, in the pallor of her cheeks and the uprightness of her
carriage. The sudden halt she made at the threshold, the half-startled
exclamation she gave as her eyes fell on the interior, all showed that
she was laboring under some secret agitation. But what was the cause of
that agitation I have not been able to determine. She went in, but as
she did so, I heard her murmur:

"Oak walls! Ah, my soul! it has come soon!"

Not a very intelligible exclamation, you will allow, but as intelligible
as her whole conduct. For in another moment every sign of emotion had
left her, and she stood quite calm and cold in the center of the room.
But her pallor remained, and I cannot make sure now whether this
betokened weary resignation or some secret and but half recognized fear.

Had I looked at him instead of at her, I might have understood the
situation better. But, though I dimly perceived his form drawn up in the
empty space at the left of the door, it was not until she had passed him
and flung herself into a chair, that I thought to look in his direction.
Then it was too late, for he had turned his face aside and was gazing
with rather an obtrusive curiosity at the old-fashioned room, murmuring,
as he did so, some such commonplaces to his wife as:

"I hope you are not fatigued, my dear. Fine old house, this. Quite
English in style, eh?"

To all of which she answered with a nod or word, till suddenly, without
look or warning, she slipped from her chair and lay perfectly insensible
upon the dark boards of the worm-eaten floor.

I uttered an exclamation, and so did he; but it was my arms that lifted
her and laid her on the bed. He stood as if frozen to his place for a
moment, then he mechanically lifted his foot and set it with an air of
proprietorship on the box before which he had been standing.

"Strange and inexplicable conduct," thought I, and looked the
indignation I could not but feel. Instantly he left his position and
hastened to my side, offering his assistance and advice with that
heartless officiousness which is so unbearable when life and death are
at stake.

I accepted as little of his help as was possible, and when, after
persistent effort on my part, I saw her lids fluttering and her breast
heaving, I turned to him with as inoffensive an air as my mingled
dislike and distrust would a