There was silence in the little room, about which lay the many little books and drawings favoured by her who lay moaning and insensible in the next room. Here was a sketch of the father; there one of the uncle; close by, arch and mocking of aspect, a clever representation of Lucy Alleyne; and, in a fit of fury, the major strode to the wall, tore it down, and stamped it under foot. "What cursed stroke of fate brought them here?" he said hoarsely. "Hush! This is no time for loud anger, Jem. We must act--like men--for her sake, old fellow! My God, Jem! what sin have I committed that the punishment should be struck at me through her? My poor, poor girl!" He sank into a chair, sobbing like a child; but as his brother's hand was laid upon his shoulder, he sprang up again. "Yes," he said huskily. "I'm ready. We need not search. We know enough. But, Jem, we must be silent. I can't have all the horrible scandal spread abroad. We must, for her sake, hush it up." "Hush it up!" said the major bitterly. "Jack, the news is being spread already. You sent one messenger out a quarter-of-an-hour ago." Just then the door leading into the bedroom opened, and Marjorie appeared, quite calm and self-possessed. "Brandy or sal-volatile!" she said in a quick, decisive whisper. "She is coming to, but deadly faint and weak." Half-an-hour later, Oldroyd was there, and busy in attendance till daybreak; while Sir John and his brother sat waiting till he joined them in the library--the calm, business-like doctor, apparently with no thought outside the condition of his patient. He came into the room, bowed, looked from one brother to the other, and waited to be questioned. Sir John's lips parted, but no words came, and he turned his eyes imploringly to his brother, who drew himself up and began in his prompt military way; but his brief question was almost inaudible towards the end. "How is she?" "Suffering terribly from shock, sir, and exhaustion. Her left arm is fractured above the elbow; but it is the mental strain we have to fear." "You will stay of course?" said the major. "I only came to you for a few moments, gentlemen, and am going back to my patient now." No further question was asked, and the brothers were left alone, to sit in silence till the major said,-- "You must send some kind of message over to The Warren, Jack." "Eh? Yes, yes, I suppose so," said Sir John bitterly; "and get rid of these people in the house. Do that for me, Jem. I'm broken, lad-- twenty years older since we shook hands last night. Who's there?" he cried with a start, as there was a tap at the door. Whoever knocked took this for a command to enter; and, looking very pale and wild-eyed, but perfectly self-possessed, Marjorie entered and fixed her eyes on Sir John. "Will you kindly order the carriage?" "Yes--yes, my dear," he said. "Thank you for what you have done; but you wish to leave us?" She looked at the old man half-wonderingly before answering.