k movement on the part of the
figure opposite caused her to halt on the brink of making her presence
known. She saw Lady Clifford straighten up and come towards her with a
cautious step to the foot of the bed. She saw her lean forward,
without touching the foot-board, and gaze with frowning intentness at
the ill man's face. His eyes were still closed, he had perhaps fallen
asleep; but if he had suddenly chanced to look up Esther thought that
his wife's expression would have given him rather a shock. For the
moment her beauty was quite altered. With her lip caught between her
teeth and her eyes narrowed with a sort of avid, calculating sharpness,
she appeared a different person. It was curious how anxiety could
change one's appearance.

Suddenly Esther woke up to the fact that Lady Clifford did not realise
she was being watched. What an embarrassing thought! Esther had never
willingly spied on anyone in her life. Yet spying was surely too harsh
a name for it. Eager to atone for her involuntary fault, she removed
her hand from the door-knob, meaning to enter boldly. It was too late.
At this exact moment the eyes of the watcher by the bed lifted and met
hers. Instantly a new expression flashed into them, for the moment
they seemed more yellow than grey.

"I did not hear you come in," she murmured with that trace of accent
which lent charm to her speech.

"I tried to be quiet because I thought he might be just dropping off."

"Yes, I think he is asleep. I slipped in to have a little look at him."

She glanced again at the motionless figure, then impulsively drew her
arm through Esther's and led her towards the far side of the room.

"Tell me, nurse," she whispered with a little confidential appeal.
"Just how long does this illness last? Usually, I mean?"

"About six weeks, as a rule, Lady Clifford," Esther replied, puzzled,
thinking surely the questioner must have found out all this.

The French woman gave a sigh which suggested nerves frayed to the
breaking point.

"Six weeks! What an endless time to be in suspense!"

"But you won't be in suspense the whole of that time," Esther hastened
to assure her. "If he passes a certain point safely, we needn't be
anxious. Unless, of course, he should have a relapse."

"Ah, yes, yes, I remember! And when exactly does that point you speak
of come?"

"Well, roughly, about three weeks from the start. By then his
temperature ought to be down to normal."