"She is dead!" shrieked the twins. "No; I think she has only fainted," said Winifred, trying to speak calmly, though she was herself alarmed at the child's ghastly appearance. "Paulina, did not Lady Corbet say that a doctor from London was to be among the guests?" But Paulina, pale as death and trembling in every limb, could remember nothing. "She did, I know," said Phyllis, who possessed more ready wit and presence of mind than all the rest together. "Doctor Mercer was his name." "Very well. Now I am going to lay Betty upon the window seat, where the fresh air will blow upon her. Do you, Phyllis, bathe her face with the strong waters, and, Jemima, fan her. Be steady and quiet like sensible girls till I come back." The twins, quieted by the trust imposed upon them, promised to obey, and Winifred was soon at the drawing-room door, asking to speak to Lady Corbet. "Why, what has happened, child? You are as white as your cap! You have not broken the great standing china bowl, have you?" "No, madam!" said Winifred, hardly able to suppress a smile even there, to see how the good lady's housekeeping instinct came uppermost. "But Betty has fainted, and I fear she is going to be very ill. Will you please come and bring the doctor with you?" On ordinary occasions, when annoyed, Lady Corbet was as fussy and flustered as an old hen, but any real emergency always made her quiet and sensible at once. "Ah, poor child! Hath she had another swoon? Pray go back to her, Mrs. Winifred, and I will bring the doctor directly." Winifred hurried back as desired, and found that Betty had revived, but was still in great pain, unable to draw a long breath or to move. Phyllis was supporting her in an upright position as well as she could, and Jemima was fanning her, while Paulina had thrown herself upon the floor in the farthest corner of the room, and was leaning her head upon a chair. "O Mrs. Evans, help me! Don't let me die!" gasped the poor child. "Oh! Am I dying?" "I trust not, my dear. Do not be alarmed!" said Winifred, cheerfully. "See, you are better already, and here is your mother with the good doctor from London. Now be a good maid, and do as you are bid, and I trust all will be well." "What's this? The window open, and the air blowing in the child's face!" exclaimed Lady Corbet, who had all the dread of fresh air natural to an Englishwoman of the time, or indeed of any time. "Of course! Where should it blow?" returned the doctor, roughly but not unkindly. "When people are gasping for breath, they need fresh air, though I wonder how my young mistress came by sense enough to give it to her. Hold her more upright still—ah! That will do. Let me have your hand, my little girl. Ah! I see. Have you given her anything?" sharply to Winifred. "Nothing," said Winifred. "I sent for some wine, but she had fainted before it came." "Just as well. She must have an anodyne at once. Bring me some syrup, a spoon, and water."