A groan that sounded like a wail of desperation broke from Mr. Ridley’s lips as he came in with the doctor and looked at the death-stricken countenance of his wife.  The two physicians gazed at each other with ominous faces, and stood silent and helpless at the bedside.

When Doctor Hillhouse hurried away ten minutes afterward he knew that he had looked for the last time upon his patient.  Mr. Ridley did not attempt to detain him.  Hope had expired, and he sat bowed and crushed, wishing that he could die.

The large quantity of opium which had been taken by Mrs. Ridley held all her outward senses locked, and she passed away, soon after Doctor Hillhouse retired, without giving her husband a parting word or even a sign of recognition.

CHAPTER XVIII.

When Doctor Hillhouse arrived at his office, it lacked only a quarter of an hour to twelve, the time fixed for the operation on Mrs. Carlton.  He found Doctor Kline and Doctor Angier, who were to assist him, both awaiting his return.

“I thought twelve o’clock the hour?” said Doctor Kline as he came in hurriedly.

“So it is.  But everything has seemed to work adversely this morning.  Mr. Ridley’s wife is extremely ill—­dying, in fact—­and I have had to see her too or three times.  Other calls have been imperative, and here I am within a quarter of an hour of the time fixed for a most delicate operation, and my preparations not half completed.”

Doctor Kline regarded him for a few moments, and then said: 

“This is unfortunate, doctor, and I would advise a postponement until to-morrow.  You should have had a morning free from anything but unimportant calls.”

“Oh no.  I cannot think of a postponement,” Doctor Hillhouse replied.  “All the arrangements have been made at Mr. Carlton’s, and my patient is ready.  To put it off for a single day might cause a reaction in her feelings and produce an unfavorable condition.  It will have to be done to-day.”

“You must not think of keeping your appointment to the hour,” said Doctor Kline, glancing at his watch.  “Indeed, that would now be impossible.  Doctor Angier had better go and say that we will be there within half an hour.  Don’t hurry yourself in the slightest degree.  Take all the time you need to make yourself ready.  I will remain and assist you as best I can.”

A clear-seeing and controlling mind was just what Doctor Hillhouse needed at that moment.  He saw the value of Doctor Kline’s suggestion, and promptly accepted it.  Doctor Angier was despatched to the residence of Mr. Carlton to advise that gentleman of the brief delay and to make needed preparations for the work that was to be done.

The very necessity felt by Doctor Hillhouse for a speedy repression of the excitement from which he was suffering helped to increase the disturbance, and it was only after he had used a stimulant stronger than he wished to take that he found his nerves becoming quiet and the hand on whose steadiness so much depended growing firm.