had the answer.
When I lifted my head, my lord had risen to his feet, and the next
moment he fell heavily on the floor. The fit or seizure endured not very
long; he came to himself vacantly, put his hand to his head, which I was
then supporting, and says he, in a broken voice: "I have been ill," and
a little after: "Help me." I got him to his feet, and he stood pretty
well, though he kept hold of the table. "I have been ill, Mackellar," he
said again. "Something broke, Mackellar--or was going to break, and then
all swam away. I think I was very angry. Never you mind, Mackellar;
never you mind, my man. I wouldna hurt a hair upon your head. Too much
has come and gone. It's a certain thing between us two. But I think,
Mackellar, I will go to Mrs. Henry--I think I will go to Mrs. Henry,"
said he, and got pretty steadily from the room, leaving me overcome with
penitence.

Presently the door flew open, and my lady swept in with flashing eyes.
"What is all this?" she cried. "What have you done to my husband? Will
nothing teach you your position in this house? Will you never cease from
making and meddling?"

"My lady," said I, "since I have been in this house I have had plenty of
hard words. For a while they were my daily diet, and I swallowed them
all. As for to-day, you may call me what you please; you will never find
the name hard enough for such a blunder. And yet I meant it for the
best."

I told her all with ingenuity, even as it is written here; and when she
had heard me out, she pondered, and I could see her animosity fall.
"Yes," she said, "you meant well indeed. I have had the same thought
myself, or the same temptation rather, which makes me pardon you. But,
dear God, can you not understand that he can bear no more? He can bear
no more!" she cried. "The cord is stretched to snapping. What matters
the future if he have one or two good days?"

"Amen," said I. "I will meddle no more. I am pleased enough that you
should recognise the kindness of my meaning."

"Yes," said my lady; "but when it came to the point, I have to suppose
your courage failed you; for what you said was said cruelly." She
paused, looking at me; then suddenly smiled a little, and said a
singular thing: "Do you know what you are, Mr. Mackellar? You are an old
maid."

* * * * *

No more incident of any note occurred in the family until the return of
that ill-starred man, the Master. But I have to place here a se