"Ah, that is quite right, if only you will superintend them and make them do their duty. Oh, here we are slowing into Newcastle. You go on, of course, to the West Station. I get out here. You won't mention a word of what I have said." "Not even to my father?" "To no one at present. The fewer who know, the better for her. She is so weak, poor soul; so nervous, that even if she guessed at her true condition, she would have a very serious attack. Good-night, for the present. Be assured of my sympathy. I am glad we have had this talk." CHAPTER TEN. AN ALARMING ATTACK. Marcia did not know why her heart felt like lead as she walked back the short distance between the railway station and her father's house; why all the joy seemed to have gone out of her, when there was no apparent reason. It was a glorious summer evening, the sky was studded with innumerable stars, which would shine more brightly in an hour or so, as soon as the rays of the sun had quite departed from the western horizon. There was not a cloud anywhere. Nevertheless, a very dense cloud rested over the girl's heart. She went into the house, and the first thing she noticed was the fact that there were no lights burning anywhere. She glanced up at the invalid's room; there was no light in the window, no brightness. What could be wrong? Oh, nothing, of course. Nesta might not be a good nurse, but she could not be so careless as that. She let herself in with her latch key, and was met by Susan in the hall. Susan had her hat on. "What is it, Susan?" "I beg your pardon, Miss? I have only just come in. It was my evening out. I came back a whole hour before my time because I was anxious about Missis. I suppose cook has seen to her." "Cook? But where are the young ladies? Where is Miss Nesta?" "I don't know." "You don't know? And where are the other young ladies?" "I don't know either. Oh, yes, though, they had tea in the garden with the Misses Carter and young Mr Carter, and then they went a bit of the way home with them. I ran down the garden and brought in the best china, they would have it from the drawing room, and then I slipped out, for I didn't want to lose any of my time. It was such a good opportunity, you see, Miss, for master and Mr Horace were both dining out at the Club this evening, and I thought the young ladies could manage to light up for themselves." "They don't seem to have done so. How is my mother? How long has she been alone?" "I don't know, Miss. Shall I run up and see?" "No, light up as quickly as you can, please. Get cook to help you if necessary. Don't be out of the way. I will go to my mother." Marcia had called Mrs Aldworth mother on many occasions; but there was a new tone in the way in which she said "my mother," which fell upon the servant's ears with a feeling of reproach.