, and
then I couldn't leave her. He went off to look after the crowd going
round the Castle."
"All right," Juliet said. "Lord Saltash will see to that. Ask them
to come in!"
She was unfastening the filmy gown with steady fingers. Whatever the
dread at her heart there was no sign of it apparent in her bearing. She
moved without haste or agitation.
At a touch on her shoulder she looked up and saw Dick at her side. "Ah,
there you are!" she said. "We want a doctor. Will you see to it? No doubt
there's a telephone somewhere. Ask Lord Saltash!"
"In the gun-room," said Saltash. "Door next to this on the left. Name of
Rossiter. Shall I see to it?"
"No--no," she said. "You get some brandy, please--at once!"
They obeyed her orders with promptitude. Dick went straight from the
room. Saltash turned to the fireplace, and pressed an electric bell three
times very emphatically.
Then he came to Juliet's side. "You ought to lay her flat, _Juliette_. I
know this sort of seizure. Heart of course! My mother died of it."
"Help me to lift her!" said Juliet.
They raised her between them with infinite care and flattened the
cushions beneath her. Then Saltash, his queer face full of the most
earnest concern began to chafe one of the nerveless hands.
Fielding tramped ceaselessly up and down the room, his head on his chest.
Every time he drew near his wife he glanced at her and swung away again,
as one without hope.
After a brief interval the door opened to admit a silent footed butler
bearing a tray. Saltash turned upon him swiftly.
"Brandy, Billings? That's right. And look here! Find Mrs. Parsons!
Tell her a lady has been taken ill in the library! She had better get
a bed ready, and have some boiling water handy. Anything else?" He
looked at Juliet.
She shook her head. "No, nothing till the doctor comes. I hope he
won't be long."
Saltash poured out some brandy. Fielding came to a standstill behind
Juliet, and stood looking on.
"We won't lift her again," whispered Juliet. "Try a spoon!"
He gave it to her, and she slipped it between the white lips. But there
was no sign of life, no attempt to swallow.
"She is dead!" said Fielding heavily.
Saltash glanced at him. "I think not," he said gently. "I'm nearly
certain I felt her pulse move just now."
The door opened again, and Dick entered. He went straight to the squire,
and put his arm round his bent shoulders. "There'll be a doctor here in
ten minutes," h
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