The sun was high in the heavens when she again awoke.  A burning fever consumed her, and delirium had fastened on her with fearful spasmodic and excruciating pains internally.  She endeavored to rise, but fainted in so doing.  She shrieked wildly for assistance, but none heeded her cries.  For hours she was thus, left alone, the pains increasing, and her brain in a constant whirl.  Again she slept, how long she knew not.  When, on awaking, she found the same attendant who had waited on her the previous evening, standing at her bedside.  She had brought food, of which her ladyship partook slightly but eagerly, and called for tea, which was handed her.

“Has Sir Lexicon returned,” she enquired.  The attendant shook her head.  “Send for him immediately, and likewise a doctor.  I am in great agony.”  The woman muttered something, and left her.  Through the long, lonely hours of that dark night, the wretched woman, wracked by intense pain, with insanity steadily gaining the ascendency, tossed to and fro on her weary bed, and when overtaxed nature did succumb to slumber, wild dreams, and wilder fancies haunted her between sleeping and waking.  She fancied she saw at her bedside the forms of Edith, Arthur, and Ralph Coleman.  The latter she denounced as a coward and traitor, from Carlton she hid her face, but to Edith she stretched forth her hand and implored her to save her from the torments she was now enduring, but only meeting with a scornful laugh, fell back upon her pillow exhausted.

This had not been quite all fancy, for the three mistresses of the planter had stolen into her chamber to feast their cruel eyes upon the dying agonies of their helpless victim.  Towards the middle of the fourth day, reason had somewhat resumed its sway, and the violence of the pains she had experienced were subdued, the ayah had arrived from the Capital and now resumed her attendance upon her mistress.  She had sought out the native doctor who attended the sick of the plantation.  He, although in the pay of the three women, thought it best to visit Lady Chutny when summoned.

“Is there no European doctor?” enquired the patient, as the native practitioner felt her pulse and otherwise examined her.

“No, madam, but I will ride to the next station and endeavour to procure one,” replied the crafty little man.  Then turning to the ayah, said, “I should have been called in sooner.  The Sahib must be sent for without delay,” and after leaving a few instructions, left the room.  He knew that death must soon ensue, and was determined to be absent on Sir Lexicon’s arrival under the pretence of doing all in his power to procure European medical assistance.  As he passed through the women’s apartment he said to them, “I am going for a European doctor.  Of course, I shall not find one.  You understand?  You have done your work completely.  She will die at sunset.  You had better send for a missionary or priest, and have her buried as soon as possible.  Let the grave be dug under the palm trees, on the south side of the plantation, and have all done decently and in order, and the master will attach no blame to any one or have any suspicion that foul play has been used, then you can easily persuade him to allow the body to remain there.”