nd heat some flannel.

"It is a sort of nervous attack," he explained, "and his teeth are
chattering with cold, and he is shaking as though he were in an ague
fit; but I am going to mix him a composing draught, and he will soon
quiet down. I have brought him a favourable report of Mr. Gaythorne,
but he is too weak to be cheered by it. This will have done him no end
of harm. We shall have him in bed for the next day or two."

Olivia gave a tired sigh, but she would not add to Marcus's burdens by
selfish complaints of her own fatigue. She would have taken the
eider-down off her own bed, but Marcus preferred borrowing a couple of
blankets from Mrs. Crampton. In a few minutes he returned again laden
with warm things that the housekeeper had sent for her young master's
use, and, soothed by the unaccustomed comfort and the powerful
narcotic, Alwyn sank into an exhausted sleep.

It was eleven o'clock before Olivia could lay her own head on her
pillow. As Dot nestled to her with a sleepy cry, the young mother
breathed her nightly thanksgiving for her two blessings, and then knew
no more until Martha came to pull up her blinds in the morning.

When Marcus came across for his breakfast he seemed in excellent
spirits. He had had three or four hours' rest, and, in his opinion,
the stroke was a slight one. Mr. Gaythorne had regained consciousness,
and, though the right arm and his speech were certainly affected, he
believed that it was only temporary mischief.

"Of course one knows at his age that it is the danger signal," he went
on, "but I hope with care that his life may be prolonged for years. I
shall get Dr. Bevan to look at him, as I do not care for such undivided
responsibility. And perhaps it will be well to have a nurse for a week
or two. Mrs. Crampton is not as young as she was, and it is a pity to
knock her up."

As the day wore on there were still more cheering reports. Mr.
Gaythorne had said a few words almost distinctly--at least, Dr.
Luttrell had understood him.

"Where is Alwyn?" He was quite sure those were his words; but he had
seemed quite satisfied when Marcus told him he was with his wife, and
had not spoken again.

Olivia had hoped for a talk with Aunt Madge, for it was quite three
days since she had been round to Mayfield Villas; but she found it
impossible to leave the house. Alwyn needed a great deal of attention;
he was very low and depressed.

Marcus had given orders that he was to