I think you should see one without
delay.'

But she shook her head.

'No doctor would do me any good. I would not see him if he came.'

Michael was silent; he hardly knew how he was to treat her. Mollie's
graphic account of the scene last night had greatly alarmed him. Mrs.
Blake was of a strangely excitable nature; he had been told that from
her youth she had been prone to fits of hysterical emotion. She was
perfectly unused to self-control, and only her son had ever exercised
any influence over her. Was there not a danger, then, that, the barriers
once broken down, she might pass beyond her own control? He had heard
and had read that ungovernable passion might lead to insanity; he almost
believed it, as he listened to Mollie's story. This is why he had
insisted on seeing her. He must judge of her condition for himself; he
must do his best to prevent the recurrence of such a scene. And now, as
he saw her terrible exhaustion and the dim languor in her eyes, he told
himself that something must be done for her relief.

'If you send one, I will not see him,' she went on.

'I think you are wrong. For your children's sake you ought to do your
best to throw off this illness that oppresses you.'

But she interrupted him.

'Why are you here this morning? Are you going to him?' she asked
abruptly.

'Yes, certainly; that is, if he will see me.'

'He will see you. He would not refuse anyone who came from Woodcote.
Captain Burnett, will you tell me this one thing: has that girl given
him up?'

Michael hesitated.

'Your son has broken off his engagement with Miss Ross. He felt he could
not do otherwise.'

'You are not answering me straight. I do not want to hear about Cyril;
of course he would offer to release her. But has Miss Ross consented to
this?'

'No,' he returned reluctantly, for it pained him to enter on this
subject with her; 'she has refused to be set free. As far as your son is
concerned, the engagement is broken; but my cousin declares her
intention of remaining faithful to him.'

'I knew it--I knew it as well as though you had told me,' returned Mrs.
Blake with strong emotion; 'Audrey Ross is not the girl to throw a man
over. Oh! I love her for this. She is a darling, a darling,
but'--relapsing into her old melancholy--'they will never let her marry
him--never, never!'

'I am afraid you are right.'

'No, he is doomed; my poor boy is doomed. If you see him, what is there
that you can say to comfo