No; there was nothing.  The sky was a little dark, as if a blight were coming on; but there was hardly more than a veil of cloud, and the light was scarcely more than tinged with gloom.  It was just such a sky as precedes a spring thunderstorm.  She said so, clearly and firmly.

Mabel’s face steadied still more.

“Very well, nurse....  Then—–­”

She turned to the little table by the side on which Sister Anne had set down what she had brought into the room.

“Show me, please.”

The nurse still hesitated.

“Are you sure you are not too frightened, my dear?  Shall I get you anything?”

“I have no more to say,” said Mabel firmly.  “Show me, please.”

Sister Anne turned resolutely to the table.

There rested upon it a white-enamelled box, delicately painted with flowers.  From this box emerged a white flexible tube with a broad mouthpiece, fitted with two leather-covered steel clasps.  From the side of the box nearest the chair protruded a little china handle.

“Now, my dear,” began the nurse quietly, watching the other’s eyes turn once again to the window, and then back—­“now, my dear, you sit there, as you are now.  Your head right back, please.  When you are ready, you put this over your mouth, and clasp the springs behind your head....  So.... it works quite easily.  Then you turn this handle, round that way, as far as it will go.  And that is all.”

Mabel nodded.  She had regained her self-command, and understood plainly enough, though even as she spoke once again her eyes strayed away to the window.

“That is all,” she said.  “And what then?”

The nurse eyed her doubtfully for a moment.

“I understand perfectly,” said Mabel.  “And what then?”

“There is nothing more.  Breathe naturally.  You will feel sleepy almost directly.  Then you close your eyes, and that is all.”

Mabel laid the tube on the table and stood up.  She was completely herself now.

“Give me a kiss, sister,” she said.

The nurse nodded and smiled to her once more at the door.  But Mabel hardly noticed it; again she was looking towards the window.

“I shall come back in half-an-hour,” said Sister Anne.

Then her eyes caught a square of white upon the centre table.  “Ah! that letter!” she said.

“Yes,” said the girl absently.  “Please take it.”

The nurse took it up, glanced at the address, and again at Mabel.  Still she hesitated.

“In half-an-hour,” she repeated.  “There is no hurry at all.  It doesn’t take five minutes....  Good-bye, my dear.”

But Mabel was still looking out of the window, and made no answer.

III

Mabel stood perfectly still until she heard the locking of the door and the withdrawal of the key.  Then once more she went to the window and clasped the sill.