The morning after their drive up-town Vincent told his wife that all his arrangements were made to go to the hospital that night, and to be operated upon the next day.

She reproached him for having made his decision without consulting her, but she loved him for his proud independence.
Somehow this second day under the shadow of death was less terrible than the first.

Vincent stayed up-town, and was very natural and very busy.

He saw a few people,--men who owed him money, his lawyer, his partner,--but most of the time he and Adelaide sat together in his study, as they had sat on many other holidays.

He insisted on going alone to the hospital, although she was to be in the building during the operation.
Mathilde had been told, and inexperienced in disaster, she had felt convinced that the outcome couldn't be fatal, yet despite her conviction that people did not really die, she was aware of a shyness and awkwardness in the tragic situation.
Mr.Lanley had been told, and his attitude was just the opposite.