"Straight to my jasper seat," she said, "to watch—to wait"——
Then came the sudden fading of the spurious strength. The Bishop put out his hand and reached for the holy oil.
* * * * * *
The golden sunset light flooded the chamber with radiance.
The Bishop still watched beside the couch.
Having rallied sufficiently to make her last confession, short and simple as a child's; having received absolution and the last sacred rites of the Church, Mary Antony had slipped into a peaceful slumber.
The Bishop had to bend over and listen, to make sure that she still breathed.
Suddenly she opened her eyes and looked full into his.
"Did you wed the Reverend Mother to the splendid Knight?" she asked, and her voice was strong again and natural, with the little chuckle of curiosity and humour in it, as of old.
"This morning," answered the Bishop, "I wedded them."