On her return she was startled by the condition of young Little.
This sudden appearance of his uncle, whom he hated, had agitated him not a little, and that uncle's interference had blasted his last hope.

He recognized this lover, and had sided with him: was going to shut the pair up, in a country house, together.

It was too much.

He groaned, and sank back in his chair, almost fainting, and his hands began to shake in the air, as if he was in an ague.
Both the women darted simultaneously toward him.

"Oh! he's fainting!" cried Grace.