An hour elapsed before the paroxysms entirely subsided, and then, with her ivory-like hands clasped and thrown up over her head, the governess slept heavily, dreamlessly.
For two days she remained in her own apartment, and on the morning of the third came down to the schoolroom, with a slow, weary step and a bloodless face, and a feeling of hopeless helplessness.
She dispatched her MS. to the publisher to whom she had resolved to offer it, and, leaning far back in her chair, took up Felix's Greek grammar.
Since the days of Dionysius Thrax, it had probably never appeared so tedious, so intolerably tiresome, as she found it now, and she felt relieved, almost grateful when Mrs. Andrews sent for her to come to the library, where Dr. Howell was waiting to see her.
Seating himself beside her, the physician examined her countenance and pulse, and put his ear close to her heart.
"Miss Earl, have you had many such attacks as the one whose effects have not yet passed away?"
"This is the second time I have suffered so severely; though very frequently I find a disagreeable fluttering about my heart, which is not very painful."
"What mode of treatment have you been following?"
"None, sir. I have never consulted a physician."
"Humph! Is it possible?"