his head. They seemed to think that the
distress might have something to do with the mischief at the lady's
heart. She was but a frail thing to look at, poor creature! Very
little strength at any time, I should say--very little strength.

Later on the same morning, when she woke, the lady took a sudden turn,
and got seemingly a great deal better. I was not let in again to see
her, no more was the housemaid, for the reason that she was not to be
disturbed by strangers. What I heard of her being better was through
my master. He was in wonderful good spirits about the change, and
looked in at the kitchen window from the garden, with his great big
curly-brimmed white hat on, to go out.

"Good Mrs. Cook," says he, "Lady Glyde is better. My mind is more easy
than it was, and I am going out to stretch my big legs with a sunny
little summer walk. Shall I order for you, shall I market for you,
Mrs. Cook? What are you making there? A nice tart for dinner? Much
crust, if you please--much crisp crust, my dear, that melts and
crumbles delicious in the mouth." That was his way. He was past sixty,
and fond of pastry. Just think of that!

The doctor came again in the forenoon, and saw for himself that Lady
Glyde had woke up better. He forbid us to talk to her, or to let her
talk to us, in case she was that way disposed, saying she must be kept
quiet before all things, and encouraged to sleep as much as possible.
She did not seem to want to talk whenever I saw her, except overnight,
when I couldn't make out what she was saying--she seemed too much worn
down. Mr. Goodricke was not nearly in such good spirits about her as
master. He said nothing when he came downstairs, except that he would
call again at five o'clock.

About that time (which was before master came home again) the bell rang
hard from the bedroom, and my mistress ran out into the landing, and
called to me to go for Mr. Goodricke, and tell him the lady had
fainted. I got on my bonnet and shawl, when, as good luck would have
it, the doctor himself came to the house for his promised visit.

I let him in, and went upstairs along with him. "Lady Glyde was just
as usual," says my mistress to him at the door; "she was awake, and
looking about her in a strange, forlorn manner, when I heard her give a
sort of half cry, and she fainted in a moment." The doctor went up to
the bed, and stooped down over the sick lady. He looked very serious,
all on a sudden, at the