“Marked change for the better. No need for haste. Come in a few days.—LORRAINE.” For some moments there was only silence, and then she looked at him with troubled, perplexed eyes, and said: “I don’t quite know what to make of it.” “Doesn’t it mean that she has passed some crisis and will live?” he suggested. “I think it must.” Hal still looked doubtful; and at that moment there was another knock at the door. Again Alymer opened it himself. “Lord Denton particularly wishes to see you,” he was told. “Show him in at once,” he replied, and turned to tell Hal who was coming. Flip Denton had come to inquire for more detailed news of Lorraine than he could get from her letters. He gathered from them that she was remaining away for the whole winter theatrical season, because her health was bad; but any suggestion on his part to run over to Brittany and see her was persistently negatived. Finally he had come to Alymer. The moment he saw them he knew that something serious was wrong, and that it concerned Lorraine. But when, after learning she was very ill, he asked Hal what was the matter, and saw the scarlet blood flame into her face, he said no more. “I was with her yesterday,” she told him, “and the doctor said he feared she would not live many days. She wanted Alymer, and I came over to fetch him.” “And you are going at once?” Denton asked him, with a curious expression in his eyes. “I have arranged to.” “Doesn’t your great case come on this afternoon, or tomorrow morning?” “Yes.” Denton’s grave face did not change. “I see,” he said, and turned a little aside. Then Hal, who had the telegram in her hand, held it out to him. “This has just come.” He read it, and his face cleared joyously. “Why, that is splendid news—don’t you think so?” And he regarded Hal with a slightly puzzled air. “I hardly know what to think,” Hal said. “Yesterday she was very ill.” “Ah, but you had to leave early,” reassuringly, “and she may have been gaining strength all the afternoon, and had a very good night. What are you going to do?” looking at Alymer. Alymer looked at Hal, and waited for her decision. Hal only looked doubtful and troubled. “I think you should stay for the lawsuit,” Denton said, to help her. “It is evident that Lorraine wished it, and she of all people would not have Hermon miss such a chance if possible. I understood Hall it was only likely to last two or three days. He has some clinching evidence, I think.” “That is so,” Alymer answered gravely; but he still waited to take his cue from Hal. “You think he should stay for it?” Hal asked Lord Denton. “I certainly think that is what Lorraine would wish him to do.” “Very well.” Hal commenced to pull on her gloves as if there were no more to say, and then Denton asked her: “Will you wait too?” “No; I am going back by the next boat.” “I will come with you.”