I seized on Benjamin with feeble, trembling hands.

"Bring him back to me!" I cried, wildly.

"Where is he?
Help me to get up!" A strange voice answered, firmly and kindly: "Compose yourself, madam.
Mr.Woodville is waiting until you have recovered, in a room close by." I looked at him, and recognized the stranger who had followed my husband out of the room.

Why had he returned alone?
Why was Eustace not with me, like the rest of them?
I tried to raise myself, and get on my feet.
The stranger gently pressed me back again on the pillow.

I attempted to resist him--quite uselessly, of course.