"But what of that?" thought Mr. Vincent. "The name is not such a very uncommon one."
Clement went to his mother's room and knocked softly at the door. The widow came out to him presently.
"How is she now?" Clement asked.
"I can scarcely tell you. Her manner frightens me. She is lying on her bed as motionless as if she were a corpse, and with her eyes fixed upon the blank wall opposite to her. When I speak to her, she does not answer me by so much as a look; but if I go near her she shivers, and gives a long shuddering sigh. What does it all mean, Clement?"
"Heaven knows, mother. I can only tell you that she has gone through a meeting which was certainly calculated to have considerable effect upon her mind. But I had no idea that the effect would be anything like this. Can the doctor come?"
"Yes; he had better come at once."
Clement returned to the sitting-room, and remained there while Mr. Vincent went to see Margaret. To Poor Clement it seemed as if the surgeon was absent nearly an hour, so intolerable was the anguish of that interval of suspense.
At last, however, the creaking footstep of the medical man sounded in the corridor. Clement hurried to the door to meet him.
"Well!" he cried, eagerly.
Mr. Vincent shook his head.