She felt as if she had been dreaming for days, as if one night lasted half a lifetime. Sitting up, she found the bed beneath her uncomfortably small with a lack of cushioning. Was she at Count Fosco's house? She could not remember. "Anne!" someone cried. Laura glanced towards the voice where a woman who appeared to be a nurse stood with hands clasped together in a moment of excitement. "Anne, you are awake!" Confused by the attention, Laura looked away to see if there was another woman nearby, but there were only the two of them. "I am sorry, but who are you?" Laura asked. The woman rushed over and gathered Laura in her arms, planting a loud kiss atop Laura's head.

"It's your nurse, Sarah. You remember your Sarah? Oh Anne!" the old woman cried. Laura pulled away suddenly, terrified to be a part of the misunderstanding.

"Again, I am sorry, but I am not Anne. My name is Laura Fairlie and I do not recall ever meeting you before." As Laura spoke, the woman, drawing away herself, burst into tears.

"Oh I should have known the outside world was going to change you after your escape. Poor child! Nothing left, nothing left!" By this time, the woman was pacing back and forth across the room, muttering to herself and dabbing at her eyes. Laura, more anxious than before, stood up abruptly, only to realize how weak and unstable she was. As she sat down, she noted her dress: all white! But when did she change? The last piece of white clothing she owned was her wedding gown. Perhaps she was confused - not poor Sarah.

"Excuse me," said Laura in a voice like glass about to shatter, "please, tell me, where am I?"

"Home, my dear Anne Catherick, back in the asylum." And the old nurse smiled down at Laura as if she were only a child.