“We hurried to her assistance, all of us, even Rosemary, who forgot her own grief at this crisis. We found her on the carpet in a deep swoon. “She lay face downward, and dressed as if for a journey. By her side lay a traveling bag, which seemed to have dropped from her hand as she fell.” “I understand! Oh, I understand too well! too well!” muttered the squire to himself. “We got her on the bed, and sent for a doctor. There was one in the house, who heard of the event, and came first. Then the doctor whom we had sent for arrived. They are with her now. One of them procured a professional nurse. And they are all three agreed upon one point—that no one but the doctor or nurse be allowed to enter the room.” “But I must go to her door. I will not make the least noise; but I must go to the door and see one of the physicians,” said Mr. Force, rising. “I will go with you,” said the earl. The two gentlemen left the room together, and went up two flights of stairs to the floor on which was the suit of rooms occupied by the Forces. They paused before the door of the chamber of illness, or it might be of death, and Mr. Force tapped very gently. It was the nurse, a wholesome-looking, middle-aged woman, who answered the summons. “I wish to see one of the physicians,” whispered Abel Force, in a voice that trembled with emotion. The woman stepped noiselessly back into the room, and was presently succeeded by Dr. Bolten, a large, fair, bald-headed man, of about sixty years of age. He stepped out into the passage noiselessly, closing the door behind him. Then, in a whisper, he greeted Mr. Force, with whom he had been acquainted. “How is my wife?” he inquired, in breathless anxiety. CHAPTER XIX THE BITTERNESS OF DEATH The doctor took the squire’s arm and led him away from the door before he answered: “She is doing as well as possible under the circumstances. All depends now on absolute quiet. It was for that reason I summoned a trained nurse and forbid any of the family to approach her.” “But what is the nature of her illness, doctor?” “She has received a severe mental shock.” “Of what nature?” “I do not know.” “Will—will she—recover?” “With great care, I hope so.” “Can I go in—very quietly—and look upon her?” “Not if you speak to her. Not if you waken her.” “I will neither speak to her nor waken her. You shall see how noiseless I can be.” “I am not going back to her room. I have all my patients to see yet, but I will call again in the afternoon. Dr. Hollis will remain a little longer. And the nurse, Mrs. Winder, can be relied on. If you enter the room, Mr. Force, let me entreat you to make no sound,” said Dr. Bolton, bowing, and passing the squire on his way downstairs. Mr. Force softly turned the handle of the lock, which had been oiled, and entered the room.