In the hours that had passed, the fits of sleep, or the comatose condition that passed for it, had grown more frequent, so that the pauses when conversation was possible were shortened.

Arthur's presence, however, seemed to act as a stimulant.

She rallied a little, and spoke to him more brightly than she had done since we arrived.

He too pulled himself together, and spoke as cheerily as he could, so that the best was made of everything.
It is now nearly one o'clock, and he and Van Helsing are sitting with her.

I am to relieve them in a quarter of an hour, and I am entering this on Lucy's phonograph.