This has been a bad season for mutton chops in the neighbourhood of Somerset House; somehow they have not grown this year.' Alaric ran up to prepare for dinner, and his wife followed him.
'Oh! Alaric,' said she, 'you are so pale: what is the matter?
Do tell me,' and she put her arm through his, took hold of his hand, and looked up into his face.
'The matter! Nothing is the matter--a man can't always be grinning;' and he gently shook her off, and walked through their bedroom to his own dressing-room.

Having entered it he shut the door, and then, sitting down, bowed his head upon a small table and buried it in his hands.

All the world seemed to go round and round with him; he was giddy, and he felt that he could not stand.
Gertrude paused a moment in the bedroom to consider, and then followed him.

'What is it you want ?' said he, as soon as he heard the handle turn, 'do leave me alone for one moment.

I am fagged with the heat, and I want one minute's rest.' 'Oh, Alaric, I see you are ill,' said she.