If they turned to look they could just catch the outline of each other’s countenance, but this they did not often attempt.  Their attention was held by the silent figure on the bed, and so motionless was this figure in the profound slumber in which it lay enchained, and so motionless were they in their increasing suspense and expectation, that time seemed to have come to a standstill in this little room.  There was one break.  The lips which had hitherto remained mute opened in a quiet murmur, and Mr. Harper, watching his client, saw him clutch the headboard in sudden emotion before he finally rose and, with looks still fixed on the bed, approached him with the startling announcement: 

“The word she whispered was ‘Love’!  It must be Georgian.”

Alas! the same thought struck them both.  Was this a proof?  Mr. Ransom flushed hotly and crept softly back to his post.

Again time seemed to stop.  Then there came a cautious rap on the door, followed by the hasty retreat of the person knocking.  It caused Mr. Ransom to stir slightly, but did not affect the lawyer.  Suddenly the former rose with every evidence of renewed agitation.  This drew Mr. Harper from his seat.

“What is it?” he cried, softly approaching the other and whispering, though after events proved that he might have spoken aloud with impunity.

Mr. Ransom pointed to her temple from which her hair had just fallen away.

“The veining here.  I have often studied it.  I recognize its every convolution.  It is Georgian, Georgian who lies there—­ah, she’s stirring, waking!  Let me go—­”

He dragged himself from Mr. Harper’s detaining hand, bent over the bed and murmured softly but with the thrilling intensity of a suffering, hoping heart, the name which at that moment meant the whole wide world to him: 

“Georgian!”

Would she greet this expression with recognition and a smile?  The lawyer half expected her to and stepped near enough to see, but the eyes which had opened upon the white wall in front of her stared on, and when they did turn, as they did after one halting, agonizing minute, it was in response to some movement made by Mr. Ransom and not in reply to his voice.

This sudden and unexpected overthrow of his secretly cherished hopes was terrible.  As he saw her rise on one elbow and meet his gaze with one which revealed the astonishment and resentment of a wild creature suddenly entrapped, he felt, or so he afterwards declared, as if the viper which had hitherto clung cold and deathlike about his heart had suddenly sprung to life and stung him.  It was the most uncanny moment of his life.

Aghast at the effect of this upon his own mind, he reeled from the room, followed by the lawyer.  As they passed down the hall they heard her voice raised to a scream in uncontrollable shame and indignation.  This was followed by the snap of her key in the lock.