In the living room of Albion Villa, thick curtains hung tightly down, isolating the night and sea fog outside the window.
The mixed light of several gas lamps and oil lamps cast contrasting spots of light and shadow on the walls, making the portraits in golden frames seem to gaze at everyone in the room.
The Duchess of Kent half-reclined on the sofa, clutching an embroidered handkerchief, her gaze drifting occasionally towards the bedroom door upstairs.
"John..." she hesitated to speak: "Are you really not going to follow Doctor Snow's instructions? Delina has had a high fever for three days, and this afternoon she couldn't even drink soup. I think this may not just be a tantrum."
