By this time Jane was on her knees and had the princess in her arms. "Poor thing! poor thing!" she said. Her own heart was so bruised and sore that she might have sobbed over this other woman if she had had nothing else to do for her.
"Lay her down, miss, if you please. A doctor's been sent for. She's in the hands of medicine and the law."
"Father, where is your patent stomach-pump?"
"The very thing, Jane!" dashing into the house.
"May the Lord have mercy on her soul!" said Waring.
"Mr. Waring, are you there? Help me to carry her. Into my room."
"Somewhere else! Not there!" exclaimed the judge.
"These proceedings are very irregular!" blustered the officer. "Accordin' to New York law, the body shouldn't be touched until the coroner arrives."
"But is she dead?" interposed Mr. Van Ness, bringing the little procession to a full halt. "Is she dead? That is the question.—Allow me. Lay her on this settee: one moment, Miss Swendon," prying one eyelid open and bending his ear to her heart with an air of judicial decision.
"Life," said the detective ponderously, "appears to have become extinct."