It was a long and solemn one; a tedious waiting. The gloom and quiet of
the small room was so profound that both men, for all their suspense and
absorption in the event they awaited, welcomed the sound of a passing
whisper or the careful stepping of feet in the corridor without.

If they turned to look they could just catch the outline of each other's
countenance, but this they did not often attempt. Their attention was
held by the silent figure on the bed, and so motionless was this figure
in the profound slumber in which it lay enchained, and so motionless were
they in their increasing suspense and expectation, that time seemed to
have come to a standstill in this little room. There was one break. The
lips which had hitherto remained mute opened in a quiet murmur, and Mr.
Harper, watching his client, saw him clutch the headboard in sudden
emotion before he finally rose and, with looks still fixed on the bed,
approached him with the startling announcement:

"The word she whispered was '_Love_'! It must be Georgian."

Alas! the same thought struck them both. Was this a proof? Mr. Ransom
flushed hotly and crept softly back to his post.

Again time seemed to stop. Then there came a cautious rap on the door,
followed by the hasty retreat of the person knocking. It caused Mr.
Ransom to stir slightly, but did not affect the lawyer. Suddenly the
former rose with every evidence of renewed agitation. This drew Mr.
Harper from his seat.

"What is it?" he cried, softly approaching the other and whispering,
though after events proved that he might have spoken aloud with impunity.

Mr. Ransom pointed to her temple from which her hair had just fallen
away.

"The veining here. I have often studied it. I recognize its every
convolution. It is Georgian, Georgian who lies there--ah, she's stirring,
waking! Let me go--"

He dragged himself from Mr. Harper's detaining hand, bent over the bed
and murmured softly but with the thrilling intensity of a suffering,
hoping heart, the name which at that moment meant the whole wide world
to him:

"Georgian!"

Would she greet this expression with recognition and a smile? The lawyer
half expected her to and stepped near enough to see, but the eyes which
had opened upon the white wall in front of her stared on, and when they
did turn, as they did after one halting, agonizing minute, it was in
response to some movement made by Mr. Ransom and not in reply to his
voice.

This sudden and u