und a blue chamber, roomy and well lighted by electricity,
an elegant broad bed affixed to the one wall, and upon it, stretched in
the most wonderful _deshabille_, my patient. Mlle. Chateray was of
middle height, of a pleasant fulness, and dark of feature. She had
large eyes that, as I entered, were roaming in a restless way about the
room, and her voice was lifted sharply abusive of her maid, a mild
Frenchwoman who stood by her.

"She is in a state of collapse, Dr. Phillimore," said my guide's voice
in my ear.

I knew better than that. It was hysteria, or I had never seen hysteria,
and the _mal-de-mer_ had been merely provocative. I took her hand
without ceremony, and, wheeling on me her lustrous eyes, she broke out
in torrential French.

She would die if she remained there. They were beasts to keep her
there. Why was she not put ashore at Havre? Havre was a port, as every
one knew, and there were ports not only in England. I had a kind face
and would do as she bade me.... Very well, then, let her be put ashore.
She began to tear at her elaborate dressing-gown, and I was afraid of
one of those outbreaks which are known as _crises des nerfs._ I took
her hands firmly.

"You shall be put ashore as you wish," I said, "and in the meantime,
while the yacht is going about, you will drink what I give you. It will
comfort you."

She gazed into my eyes, ceasing to struggle, and then said more
quietly: "Yes--yes, give it me quick."

It was a case for bromide, and I turned away at once to go to my
surgery.

"You will lie exactly as you are, mademoiselle," I said peremptorily,
"until I return."

I left the cabin and descended, and I think I was not gone more than
ten minutes. When Mlle. Chateray had taken the draught, I turned to her
maid: "She will be quieter now," I said. "Let me know if anything
further develops," and I moved towards the door. Miss Morland stood in
my way.

For the first time I observed her. Her cloak had fallen from her,
leaving her fine figure in the full illumination of the light. Her head
was set well back above the eloquent lines of a strong throat and the
square shoulders underneath. The lace over her bosom stirred with her
breathing, and to my fancy at the moment she was as a statue into which
life was flowing suddenly. I saw this before I met her gaze, and the
calm beauty of that confirmed my fancy. She moved then and opened the
door for me.

"You have promised she shall be landed?" she sa