The door was opened a few inches, and he saw through the aperture the haggard and almost ghastly face of General Abercrombie.

His eyes were wild and distended.
"What do you want ?" he demanded, impatiently.
"Is Mrs.Abercrombie sick?
Can we do anything for you, general ?" said Mr.Craig, uttering the sentences that came first to his tongue.
"No!" in angry rejection of the offered service.

The door shut with a jar, and the key turned in the lock.

Mr.Craig stood for a moment irresolute, and then went back to his wife.

Nothing more was heard in the adjoining room.