At that moment the truth had come home to Mary Salis that her injury was terrible in extent, and she lay there gazing wildly at her handsome sister, but seeing beyond her in the long, weary vista of her own life a helpless cripple, dragging her way slowly onward towards the end.
Then there was a low, piteous sigh, and Mrs Berens came quickly to the door.
“Doctor,” she whispered, “come back. Fainted!”
North hurried back into the room, to find Mary Salis lying back, white as if cut in marble, while her sister stood gazing at her in silence, making no movement to be of help.
“How I do hate that girl!” he muttered, as he went down on one knee by the couch.
Chapter Nine.
Dr North Sees a White Mark.
Patient never had more assiduous attention than Mary Salis received from Dr North. He had formed his opinions about her case, but insisted upon having further advice, and Mr Delton—the old savant of the lecture—was proposed.