Then for a moment the girl stood as if dumbfounded, as the thoughts crushed down upon her that even if she started now, and could get away, she would be too late to catch the London mail. Worse still: Leo must have caught the last up-train at twelve, and long before she could reach the great city, would have joined Tom Candlish at the place he had named in the note Dally herself had borne; and, though she had planned so well, her chances of being Lady Candlish were for ever gone. She ground her teeth together and panted hoarsely, hardly able to breathe for the sobs which struggled for utterance. "It isn't true. It's a trick!" she cried at last. "I won't believe it! I'll go and be there first, and then-- "Oh! what shall I do--what shall I do?" she cried hoarsely; and then, uttering a wild and passionate shriek of misery and despair, she threw herself heavily upon the floor, to tear at the carpet, like some savage creature, with tooth and nail. Volume 3, Chapter XXIII. DALLY'S HYSTERICS. Salis ran out into the hall, followed by the doctor, to meet Mary and the housekeeper from the other side. "North?" gasped Salis; he could say no more. "Sleeping peacefully," said the housekeeper; "what is the matter?" For Mary could not speak. "Leo must be ill," said Salis, rushing up the stairs to his sister's room. "Leo! Leo!" he cried, rattling the door-handle. For answer there was a moaning, almost inhuman, sound. "Can you open the door?" said the old doctor, who had followed him. "It must be a fit." "Stand back," cried Salis; and going to the other side of the broad landing, he rushed forward, literally hurling himself at the door, which flew open with a crash. The light carried by Mary streamed into the room, and lit up the figure grovelling upon the carpet. In an instant Salis was down upon one knee, and had raised her upon his arm. "Dally!" he cried wonderingly, as the girl writhed and fought and moaned in his arms. The doctor glanced at the hysterical girl. "Light here," he said sternly; and as Mary wonderingly bore forward the lamp, the old man lifted the tea-cup, upon which his eyes had instantly lit, smelled, and then cautiously tasted it. He shook his head. "Is she poisoned?" gasped Salis. "No," said the old doctor promptly. "The lamp a little nearer, please." Mary held it towards him, and the old man bent down over Dally and made a rapid examination; no easy task, for she was throwing herself about wildly, and one hand struck the lamp shade and tore it away. "That will do," said the doctor in stern, hard tones. "Here: have you another servant? Get her to bed at once." As he spoke he seized Dally's wrist, and gave it a jerk. "Get up!" he said harshly. "What a shame!" murmured Mrs Milt indignantly. "Of this girl to make such a disturbance?" said the old doctor, who had caught her words. "Yes, disgraceful, when there is so much trouble. That's right; get up. Not your room, I suppose?"