If this be an ordered selfishness, then we should pause before we condemn any one for the vice of egoism, for there may be deeper root for its causes than we have knowledge of.
I used my knowledge of this phase of spiritual pathology, and set down a rule that she should not be present with Lucy, or think of her illness more than was absolutely required.

She assented readily, so readily that I saw again the hand of Nature fighting for life.

Van Helsing and I were shown up to Lucy's room.

If I was shocked when I saw her yesterday, I was horrified when I saw her today.
She was ghastly, chalkily pale.

The red seemed to have gone even from her lips and gums, and the bones of her face stood out prominently.
Her breathing was painful to see or hear.