"Honoria!" she said faintly, and looked towards the other room, where the sunshine lay strong and gold. Her fingers wandered over the spaniel's soft coat; she gave a little cough and passed her hand patiently to and from her brow. She was not thinking of anything at all; she felt that for the moment everything was suspended, but that presently she would be able to adjust it all in her own mind--think it out and put it straight. When Honoria returned she had not moved. The maid was not alone; my lord, in his black ball dress, stained and tumbled with the rain and mud and the powder shaken out of his bright hair, followed her. The Countess roused herself as she saw him. "What is this?" he asked wildly. "The end, my lord," she answered, coughing. "Have you no remedies?" cried the Earl, turning on Honoria. "Have you done nothing for her?" "One hath gone for the apothecary." My lady's glazed eyes rested on her husband's face. "It is no use. I have taken poison," she shuddered. "I bought it this morning. There is no need for me to say anything more." "Why have you done this?" cried the Earl wretchedly. She was getting fast beyond all questions or reproaches, getting beyond knowing or caring who spoke to her. "Oh, I am in pain!" she said faintly. "This is a horrible way to die! Honoria will tell you." She made a writhing movement that caused the dog to jump from her knee. Rose Lyndwood dropped to one knee beside her and caught her wrist. "Why does not the doctor come?" he cried distractedly. "Speak to me, my lady, speak to me!" "Give me some water," she murmured. Honoria moved away to fetch it. The Countess shuddered and groaned. "Shall I send for a clergyman--for your father?" asked my lord. "Send for no one," she gasped. "What are any of them to me?" Honoria brought the water, and as the Countess raised her head to take it she fixed her vacant eyes on my lord. "You wait for me to ask your forgiveness," she said with sudden strength; "but honour was--never in--the bargain. I told Susannah Chressham so." She took the glass and held it a moment, staring at her husband; then it slipped through her fingers and broke on the gilt arm of the chair; the water was spilt over her blue wrapper and the floor. "Oh," she murmured, and sank backwards, "save me from this!" My lord sprang up and supported her frail body. She choked, struggled, and her eyes rolled in her head, her forehead grew damp and her face distorted. There was a tap on the door of the outer room. The doctor, my lady's black page, a maidservant and the hairdresser entered, filling the chamber with the agitation of low talk. Honoria followed the physician to my lady's side. "What can you do for her?" demanded my lord impatiently, and the maid's sharp face was keen as she waited for the verdict. There was hesitation, talk, delay. Half the household gathered in the outer room; the Countess lay breathing heavily in a half-swoon. It was decided to bleed her.