"Don't ask questions, but act," panted Salis. "I am acting," said North sternly, as he bent over his patient, and rapidly grasped the position. "Do you know what she has taken?" "No." "What poisons have you in the house?" "None." "Humph!" ejaculated the doctor, examining and smelling the glass. "She has got at something." "But, for pity's sake, act--act," said Salis, in horror. "You are letting her sink before your eyes." "Best thing too," said North, laughing. "A miserable little jilt! I--" He paused in horror at the words which had fallen from his lips, and met his friend's wondering gaze. Then, as if mastering himself, he gave sundry orders in a quick, sharp way, and evidently bestirred himself to restore the patient. For the moment Salis had felt disposed to bid him leave the house; but it was a case of emergency, and, keeping a watchful eye upon North, he helped where it was necessary, with the result that an hour later Mary was left seated beside her, Leo being utterly prostrate, and the doctor followed his friend down to the breakfast-room where the meal was spread. "Hah!" cried North, "that's better. Breakfast's a glorious meal. Come, old chap, sit down. Never mind the jade; she's all right now." "In Heaven's name, North, what does this mean?" cried Salis. North burst into a hearty laugh, which his wild eyes seemed to contradict. "Mean, eh?" he cried. "Why, I ought to ask you. What game has the lively little witch been up to now?" "North!" cried Salis piteously. "There, you needn't tell me," cried North, laughing. "Tom, eh? Ah, he's a sad dog!" "North, for pity's sake, have some decency. I suspected that you had found something out, and I can understand your throwing her over like this." "Throw her over?" laughed North. "Why she threw me over for Tom. She's a queer one, old chap." "Are you a man?" cried Salis fiercely, "that you torture me like this. Can you not see the shame of it--the disgrace to Mary and me? Horace North, I feel as if I were grovelling in the mire, and you, my oldest friend, come and set your heel upon my neck." "Eh? Heel? Your neck?" "Yes; I know that you must have suffered heavily. It has been a terrible affliction to both Mary and me, for we felt with you; but for Heaven's sake, Horace, don't rush into this reckless extreme. Man, man, I want your sympathy and help, if ever I did, and you--you are so changed." "Yes, yes," said North, in a hoarse whisper, and with a ghastly look in his eyes. "So changed--so horribly changed." "Ah!" cried Salis joyfully; "that's like your old self again. Why, North, what has come to you?" "Come to me? You dog! Come to me, eh? Look as if I'd been drinking, do I? Oh, I'm all right enough!" Salis looked at him aghast once more, just as if he had been indeed drinking; but his friend's acts belied his words, for he uttered a low groan, laid his arms upon the table and let his head sink down.