His Other Wife: A Novel — page 60: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

52 _ MISSIONARY WORK. late morning utterly stupefied and exhausted. Maum Amy suspected that her master had given over-doses in order to be relieved of tedious night vigils by his sick wife’s pillow. Just as the nurse had posted herself where she could, from a place of concealment in the dark antechamber, observe the proceedings in Mrs. Croft’s bedroom, she heard the little clock on her mistress’ mantel-piece strike the hour of ten. ‘<It is time for your sedative dose, my love,” said Mr. Croft to his wife. | ‘“Yes, dearest, I am ready for it whenever you wish; but I think I’d rather suffer a little longer from this eating pain in my head, and be able to see you and touch your hand, than be eased by the drops into forgetfulness, ” ‘¢You are a dear creature to feel so, Rachel, but I can- not allow you to indulge your heart at the expense of your head.” , As he spoke he proceeded to measure out some liquid into an apothecary’s glass. While thus engaged, he was standing behind the tall, old-fashioned bed-head, which stood free of the wall several feet, and formed a screened recess, where a table and wash-stand were placed. On the table bottles and glasses, with a night-lamp, were ar- ranged, Maum Amy occupied the proper angle in the next room to catch the full reflection of her master’s proceedings from a large mirror on the bureau in the sick-chamber. But for this unexpected agent his operations must have been Eomicbooks.co =|