A wild cry of joy broke from her lips as she saw him enter; but when
he came near, she put up her hands and shrunk away from him, saying
in a voice that fairly wailed, it was so full of disappointment:

"I thought it was Ralph--my dear, good Ralph! Why don't he come
home?"

Her cheeks were red with fever and her eyes bright and shining. She
had started up in bed on hearing her husband's step, but now shrunk
down under the clothing and turned her face away.

"Blanche! Blanche!" Mr. Ridley called the name of his wife tenderly
as he stood leaning over her.

Moving her head slowly, like one in doubt, she looked at him in a
curious, questioning way. Then, closing her eyes, she turned her
face from him again.

"Blanche! Blanche!" For all the response that came, Mr. Ridley might
as well have spoken to deaf ears. Dr. Angier laid his hand on his
arm and drew him away:

"She must have as little to disturb her as possible, Mr. Ridley. The
case is serious."

"Where is Dr. Hillhouse? Why did not he come?" demanded Mr. Ridley.

"He will be here after a while. It is too early for him," replied
Dr. Angier.