To the guilty woman, who awaited her sentence, it was an interval of intense anxiety; but she endeavoured to maintain her calmness, fearing to betray herself.
Thinking she ought to be employed, she sat down to write a letter, but had not got very far with it when Doctor Spencer came into the room.
Closing the door after him, he fixed a strange and searching glance upon her, and so terrified her by his looks that she could not speak, nor did he break the silence.
At length, she gave utterance to these words:
“I am afraid you bring bad news, doctor. Is she seriously ill?”
“She is,” he replied, sternly. “But I think I shall be able to save her.”
“What ails her?” inquired Mrs. Calverley.
“Have you no idea?”
“None whatever,” she replied, looking perplexed.
“Poison has been administered to her!”