about six o'clock
The Princess had fallen into a state of semi-consciousness which was neither sleep nor stupor , but partook of both , and her face was scarlet from the fever . Two or three times in the course of the afternoon , however , she was evidently aware of the nurse 's presence , and she submitted without resistance to all that was done for her . The maid , who had been in the sick-room all night and all the morning , was now asleep , and the doctor had advised that the children should be kept away from their mother altogether . When the doctor came again , about six o'clock , the nun explained her own position to him , and begged him to communicate with the Convent before leaving the palace , as the Princess should certainly not be left without proper care , even for an hour . He did what she asked , and the answer came back in the Mother Superior 's own voice . She said that she was very short of nurses , and that it would be extremely inconvenient to send one , and she therefore begged of him to get a Sister from another order . He replied very crossly that he would do nothing of the sort , that he believed in the White Sisters and meant to have a White Sister , and that a White Sister must come , and a good one ; and that if it was only a matter of inconvenience , it was better that the Convent should be inconvenienced for him than that he should be disappointed ; and he added so much more to the same effect , with so many emphatic repetitions , that the Mother Superior promised to break all rules and come herself within an hour if no other Sister were available .