[Illustration: “SHE WAS DRAGGED ALONG HELPLESSLY.”] “Sir Lionel Dudleigh,” said Lady Dudleigh, “is with Dr. Morton on business. Tell him that I am tired of waiting, or take me to the room where he is.” “Oh yes, 'm,” said one of the women; and saying this, she went down stairs. In a few moments Dr. Morton came up, followed by the women. The two men who had been standing at the door came into the hall, and stood there at the foot of the stairs. “Where is Sir Lionel?” was Lady Dudleigh's first words. The doctor smiled blandly. “Well, he has just gone, you know; but he'll soon be back--oh yes, quite soon. You wait here, and you may go to your room.” He spoke in an odd, coaxing tone, as though he were addressing some fretful child whom it was desirable to humor. “Gone!” exclaimed Lady Dudleigh. “Yes, but he'll soon be back. You needn't wait long. And these women will take you to your own room. You'll find it very pleasant.” “I have no room here,” said Lady Dudleigh, haughtily. “If Sir Lionel has gone, I shall go too;” and with these words she tried to move past the woman who was in front of her. But the woman would not move, and the other woman and the doctor stood there looking at her. All at once the truth dawned upon her, or a part of the truth. She had been brought here, and they would keep her here. Who they were she could not imagine, but their faces were not at all prepossessing. “Oh, it's all right,” said the doctor, in a smooth voice. “You shall go to-morrow. We'll send for Sir Lionel.” “Dr. Morton,” said Lady Dudleigh, solemnly, “beware how you detain me. Let me go, or you shall repent it. I don't know what your motive is, but it will be a dangerous thing for you. I am Lady Dudleigh, and if you dare to interfere with my movements you shall suffer.” “Oh yes, oh yes,” said the doctor. “You are Lady Dudleigh. Oh, of course. And now come, Lady Dudleigh; you shall be treated just like a lady, and have a nice room, and--” “What do you mean?” cried Lady Dudleigh, indignantly. “This insolence is insufferable.” “Oh yes,” said the doctor; “it'll be all right, you know. Come, now; go like a good lady to your room.” “Are you mad?” exclaimed Lady Dudleigh, in amazement. The doctor smiled and nodded. “What do you intend to do?” asked Lady Dudleigh, restraining herself with a strong effort. “Oh, nothing; we shall put you in a nice room, you know--all so pleasant--for you are not very well; and so. Susan, you just take the lady's hand, and, Martha, you take the other, and we'll show her the way to her room.”