"You're trembling, dear," he said gently, "and you--you absolutely look as if you were _afraid_ of me. Come into the drawing room, love, and tell me what is wrong with Judy. My _bete noire_, Judy! what has been her last transgression?" "Jasper, don't, don't," said Hilda, in a voice of pain. "Judy is really ill this time--she fainted in church on Sunday; she is in bed now, and the doctor says she is very weak." "I suppose so, or she would not have fainted. I used constantly to faint when I was a child--the slightest thing sent me off. I was not kept in bed afterward, for children were not cockered up and fussed over when I was young. My faint was generally traced to over-eating. If you must go down to see Judy, I don't wish to prevent you, Hilda, but why go to-night?" "Oh, Jasper, I must--I must run away this instant too, for I hear the cab--I telegraphed to say I would go." Jasper put on a new stubborn look which Hilda had never seen before. "I don't wish to coerce you," he said, in a cold voice, "you're perfectly free to act as you think right in the matter. I can go down with you by an early train in the morning, or you can go by yourself now, and put me to extreme inconvenience. You're at liberty to choose." "Don't speak like that, Jasper, you pain me so dreadfully." "I fail to see how I am paining you, I am giving you a free choice. You can be with Judy before noon to-morrow, or you can go immediately." "I sent a telegram to her to expect me; it is so bad for sick children to be kept waiting." "So it seems. Yes, Susan, tell the cab to wait." Susan left the room, and heavy tears gathered in Hilda's eyes. "Can I send another telegram?" she asked weakly. "I don't believe you can, the telegraph office will be closed at Little Staunton. Never mind, Hilda, you had better go; I am disappointed, annoyed, of course, but what of that? What is a husband to a sick sister? Go, my dear, or you will miss your train!" "No, I won't go," said Hilda; "you have made it impossible for me to go. I'll stay and entertain your guest, and Judy will suffer. Yes; don't kiss me just now, Jasper; I think you are cruel, but I'll stay." Hilda went over to the bell and rang it. Susan answered the summons. "Give the cabman this shilling," said Mrs. Quentyns, "and tell him that he is not required." "You have done quite right, my love," said Quentyns, "and when you have got over your first little feeling of annoyance you will see the matter in the same light that I do. I'll telegraph to Little Staunton early in the morning to tell them to expect us by the 11.35 train. Of course Judy would have been asleep hours before you reached her to-night, so it does not really matter in the least. Now come upstairs and put on your very prettiest dress, that soft pink _chiffon_, in which you look as like a rosebud as a living woman can. I have capital news for you, Hilda, my love; Rivers certainly is a brick; he has got me to act as counsel in----"