wild eyes.
"Come--other side--"

She was drooping, falling. Lashmar had only just time to catch and
support her.

"What is it?" he asked, staring at Constance as he supported the
helpless form. "Has she fainted?"

"Lay her down, and I'll get help."

A moment, and Sir William Amys came hastening into the room; he was
followed by his wife and two or three servants. Lady Ogram gave no sign
of life, but the baronet found that her pulse was still beating.
Silent, still, with half-closed eyes, the old autocrat of Rivenoak lay
stretched upon a sofa awaiting the arrival of Dr. Baldwin.

CHAPTER XXV

Sir William drew Lashmar aside.

"What brought this about?" he asked. "What has been going on?"

Dyce, whose nerves were in a tremulous state, did not easily command
himself to the quiet dignity which the occasion required. He saw that
the baronet regarded him with something of suspicion, and the tone in
which he was addressed seemed to him too much that of a superior. With
an effort of the muscles, he straightened himself and looked his
questioner in the face.

"There has been a painful scene, Sir William, between Lady Ogram and
her niece. Very much against my will, I was made a witness of it. I
knew the danger of such agitation, and did my best to calm Lady Ogram.
Miss Tomalin had left the room, and the worst seemed to be over. We
were talking quietly, when the blow fell."

"That is all you have to say?"

"I am not sure that I understand you, Sir William," Lashmar replied
coldly. Being slightly the taller, he had an advantage in being able to
gaze at the baronet's forehead instead of meeting his look. "You would
hardly wish me to speak of circumstances which are purely private."

"Certainly not," said the other, and abruptly moved away.

Lady Amys and Constance stood together near the couch on which Lady
Ogram was lying. With a glance in that direction, Lashmar walked
towards the door, hesitated a moment, went out into the hall. He had no
wish to encounter May; just as little did he wish for a private
interview with Constance; yet it appeared to him that he was obliged by
decorum to remain in or near the house until the doctor's arrival.
Presently he went out onto the terrace, and loitered in view of the
front windows. That Lady Ogram was dying he felt not the least doubt.
Beneath his natural perturbation there stirred a hope.

Nearly an hour passed before Dr. Baldwin's carriage rolled up the
drive. Sho