Perhaps his physical extremity had dulled his fears for his wife's salvation into a conviction that his death was to be the climax of God's plans for her.

He was bewildered at the temptation of greater joy at the prospect of her presence than gratitude that God should save her soul alive.

But he never for one moment doubted she would come to tell him she had found the light.
The night wore heavily on.

Gifford stationed himself upon the stairs, outside the door; the doctor came, and then went quietly down to John's study, and found a book to while away the time.

And then they waited.
When the first faint lightening of the sky came and the chill of dawn began to creep through the silent house, Helen came out of the closed room.