With soft, professional step, she crossed the room to bend over the bed.

Her trained fingers sought the skeleton wrist; she spoke slowly, distinctly, with careful clearness; and, under the cool professionalism of her words, there was a tone of marked respect.

"What is it, madam ?" The sunken eyes opened.

As a burst of sunlight through the suddenly opened doors of a sepulchre, the death-gray face was illumed.

In those eyes, clear and burning, the nurse saw all that remained of a powerful personality.