She could not afford much thought for him; her hands were too full; indeed, in addition to her other responsibilities, she had, in a measure, taken Mrs.Dexter's place in the household, and had to give directions to the still scared servants.
She sent down to the village for the sleeping draught which Doctor Scott prescribed for Miriam, and as soon as she could, went upstairs again.

In the corridor, she met Lord Heyton, and he looked so ill, so careworn, that, for a moment, her dislike of him was outbalanced by pity.

He nodded to her, and she was about to pass on; then she paused and said: "Have you had anything to eat, my lord?
Everyone is so busy and so confused, there will be no regular meals, I am afraid." "Oh, that's all right," he said, glancing at her furtively, and then lowering his eyes.

"I'm not much in the humour for meals, as you may guess.

Has my father come to, yet?
Look here, that officious fool of a nurse has shut me out of the room.