Even Mr. Rigby exhibited his share
in the general concern by being more than usually harsh towards his
prisoners. About four o'clock there was an incident that made a little
break in the monotony of waiting for the death warrant. Old Styles
arrived, to say that the crazy woman was no longer crazy. Half an hour
before she sat up in bed and cried "Free at last!" and since then,
though the fever was still on her, her mind was quite clear. Doctor
Halbert took a note of the time, and wondered what the sudden and
beneficial change meant. Mrs. Carmichael and Mr. Errol sympathized with
him, rejoicing for the poor woman's sake. The detective and Ben Toner
came home, very tired and disgusted with their want of success. When
night came, the dominie again offered to stay with his friend, and, in
his anxiety, even forced himself into the sick room. Miss Carmichael was
very pale, but very quiet and resolute. "He is your dear friend, I
know," she said, calmly, "but he belongs to me as he does not to anybody
else in the world. I may not have him long, so please don't grudge me
the comfort of watching.
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