As she sat there on the ground and realized her situation, a feeling almost of terror came over her. During the past few years, she had gone through the discipline of a long lifetime. This night, the past and present seemed to combine to crush out the remnant of courage that had been left to her. She buried her face in her hands and rocked to and fro, struggling with her feeling, struggling with destiny, and struggling to call back some of her former self; that as her day, so her strength might be.
At that moment, Ralph awoke; he turned his face on his pillow, and regarding her with great earnestness, he said, "Where is Ronald, my brother? I want him here now."
Anna went nearer to him and, looking at the flushed face and the brilliant, restless eyes, saw that he was delirious.
"Ronald," he repeated. "Are you there?"
"Perhaps he is near you," said Anna, wishing to solace him.
"That is well," he answered. "I will play my new composition to him."
He immediately began to move his hands over the rugs which covered him, as if he were playing the organ.
"Ah," said he, "that is the chord I sought,—thank heaven.—Listen to this.—Hark, hear this resolution. Now do you see what that chord leads up to?—How is that harmonic progression?—How does this sound?—I shall have a double suspension there.—Ah, that is good.—Hark; now can you hear the melody running through the minor?—Yes, the violoncellos come in there,—so it must be.—More ink; quick, quick,—there is so much to write and so little time."
He sank down again, exhausted, and fell into a deep sleep. After an hour he again awoke, the flush had left his cheek; he was very calm, and had perfectly regained his senses.
"I have been dreaming of my brother Ronald," he said. "I thought he was here. Can you tell me what time it is?"