When they left the sick-chamber, he left also, and walked the floor anxiously while they sat in consultation, talking together in low tones.

Now and then he caught words, such as "peritoneum," "lesion," "perforation," etc., the fatal meaning of which he more than half guessed.
They were still in consultation when a sudden cry broke from the lips of Mrs.Ridley; and rising hastily, they went back to her chamber.

Her face was distorted and her body writhing with pain.
Doctor Hillhouse wrote a prescription hastily, saying to Mr.Ridley as he gave it to him: "Opium, and get it as quickly as you can." The sick woman had scarcely a moment's freedom from pain of a most excruciating character during the ten minutes that elapsed before her husband's return.

The quantity of opium administered was large, and its effects soon apparent in a gradual breaking down of the pains, which had been almost spasmodic in their character.
When Doctor Hillhouse went away, leaving Doctor Ainsworth in charge of his patient, she was sinking: into a quiet sleep.

On arriving at his office he found Mr.Wilmer Voss impatiently awaiting his return.
"Doctor," said this gentleman, starting up on seeing him and showing considerable agitation, "you must come to my wife immediately." Doctor Hillhouse felt stunned for an instant.