"Very well" answered Lawrence drawing his lips tightly together, "I see my journey to France has been made in vain; I may add," he continued "that I came here purposely to encounter you but all in vain! You have no real reason for not wishing to become my wife--it is not possible; but I will now flee from you and perhaps when I am laid upon my bed for the last time and Death has siezed me in its jaws you will repent of your past wrongs!!" "Oh Lawrence!" Beatrice almost screamed in her agony "just one word before you go!" "Not one," replied Lawrence, and with these words upon his lips he left the unhappy Beatrice in a swoon upon his floor. Beatrice had given one hoarse scream as she fell to the floor, and it brought a couple of waiters to the room. "What is it?" asked one. "A young lady has fainted" said the other "run for the doctor quick." The next instant there was a regular crowd round Beatrice all intensely interested, and in less time than it takes to tell old Doctor Holden was bending over Beatrice's white rigid face. "She has had some shock I fear" said he feeling the thin white hand "can anyone in the crowd tell me where this lady lives?" There was no sound of a reply for the first few seconds and then came a faint "yes" from the back of the throng. "Come forward" cried the doctor. A rustling and a murmering of voices ensued and then the figure of a young girl rushed forward. It was Margaret Vindsor who had come out in search of Clara and fearing her to be lost had set out to find her. "Now" said Dr. Holden giving Margaret a chair, "are you any relation to this young lady, and where does she live?" "Oh Dr. Holden!" cried Margaret "she is a friend of ours and is on a visit to us--oh what shall I do? Oh poor Beatrice!!" "Why Miss Vindsor is it you?" Asked Dr. Holden in surprise "Waiter run for a cab, we must take these ladies back to Le Chateau." It was not long before the cab stopped at the Inn door and Dr. Holden assisted by two waiters lifted Beatrice into the cab and laid her gingerly on the seat, while Margaret speedily followed, and then the doctor himself jumped in and the downcast party drove back to Le Chateau. CHAPTER 8 Mrs. Vindsor together with Honoria and Clara were waiting breathlessly in the hall when the cab drove up. Honoria flew to the door and the minute she caught sight of the unconscious Beatrice and her sister's pale face she gave a loud scream and tore rapidly to her bedroom. Beatrice was carried to her bedroom at once and the doctor soon left after leaving his directions.