and ashen
under the double shock. Norma began to hear, on all sides, respectful
and sympathetic references to "the family." The family felt this, and
would like that, the family was not seeing any one, the family must be
protected and considered in every way. The privileged old friends talked
with strange men in the lower hall, and were heard saying "I suppose so"
dubiously, to questions of hats and veils and carriages and the church.

Chris was gone all day, but at four o'clock an urgent message was sent
him, and he and Acton came into Mrs. Melrose's room about half an hour
later, for the end. His face was ghastly, and he seemed almost unable to
understand what was said to him, but he was very quiet.

Norma never forgot the scene. She knelt on one side of the bed, praying
with all the concentration and fervour that she could rally under the
circumstances. But her frightened, tired eyes were impressed with every
detail of the dark old stately bedroom none the less. This was the end
of the road, for youth and beauty and power and wealth, this sunken,
unrecognizable face, this gathering of shadows among the dull, wintry
shadows of the afternoon.

Annie was kneeling, too, her fine, unringed hands clasping one of her
mother's hands. Chris sat against the back of the bed, half-supporting
the piled pillows, in a futile attempt to make more easy the fighting
breath, and Acton and Hendrick von Behrens, grave and awed, stood beside
him, their faces full of sympathy and distress. There was an outer
fringe of nurses, doctors, maids; there was even an audible whisper from
one of them that caused Annie to frown, annoyed and rebuking, over her
shoulder.

Minutes passed. Norma, pressing her cheek against the hand she held,
began a Litany, very low. Suddenly the dying woman opened her eyes.

"Yes--yes--yes!" she whispered, eagerly, and with a break in her
frightened voice Norma began more clearly, "Our Father, Who art in
Heaven----" and they all joined in, somewhat awkwardly and uncertainly.

Mrs. Melrose sank back; she had raised herself just a fraction of an
inch to speak. Now her head fell, and Norma saw the florid colour drain
from her face as wine drains from an overturned glass. A leaden pallor
settled suddenly upon her. When the prayer was finished they
waited--eyed each other--waited again. There was no other breath.

"Doctor----" Annie cried, choking. The doctor gently laid down the limp
hand he had raised; it was alrea