Oh no! But if Sir Samuel could be sent for, or Lady Maria Bayne, or--or his lordship--" The disturbed expression of Lady Walderhurst's face changed to something verging on alarm.

It was true that she began to be horribly frightened.
She turned upon Jane, pallor creeping over her skin.
"Oh!" she cried, a sound of almost child-like fear and entreaty in her voice.

"I am sure you think I am ill, I am sure you do.

What--what is it ?" She leaned forward suddenly and rested her forehead on her hands, her elbows supported by the dressing-table.

She was overcome by a shock of dread.
"Oh! if anything should go wrong!" in a faint half wail; "if anything _could_ happen!" She could not bear the mere thought.