"If you do, he will only break it for you--break it into little pieces like the glass scent-bottle which you dropped yesterday.

Take everything.

But do not give--anything--in return.

Will you remember ?" And Magda answered her gravely.
"_Oui, maman_, I will remember." What happened after that remained always a confused blur in Magda's memory--a series of pictures standing out against a dark background of haste and confusion, and whispered fears.
Suddenly her mother gave a sharp little cry and her hands went up to her breast, while for a moment her eyes, dilated and frightened-looking, stared agonisingly ahead.

Then she toppled over sideways and lay in a little heap on the great bearskin rung in front of the fire.
After that Virginie came running, followed by a drove of scared-looking servants and, last of all, by Hugh himself, his face very white and working strangely.
The car was sent off in frantic haste in search of Dr.Lancaster, and later in the day two white-capped nurses appeared on the scene.