I grew sick and faint with doubt and horror. I must do something; I could not longer sit passive and dumb, and see that woman wreck all our lives. But what to do? which way to turn? Alas! I was very helpless after all! There was no one to whom I could confide my suspicions--no one to whom I could open my heart, and the only hope I had was in that wild girl, who had understood the real character of our visitor so much more quickly than any of her superiors. While I was thinking of this thus painfully, the door of the inner room opened, and Lottie stood there, beckoning to me. I went into her chamber, and she closed the door. She was in great excitement and glee. "Babylon's been at it," she whispered. "At what?" "Talking about you. Oh, my! hain't you woke up a hornet's nest! Cora's mad too; golly, don't she go on. I told you to let things alone." "I care very little for Mrs. Dennison's anger," I said. "I don't suppose you do. But she'll pay you off if she can. So look sharp, Miss Hyde; these are times for sleeping with both eyes open. No chance to dream or make verses now." "Nonsense, child!" "Nonsense, if you choose; but that don't alter the matter. Babylon's brought Mr. Lee back to the house; she had him out in the garden to make all right about Lawrence." "Stop, Lottie!" "I have stopped--sha'n't say no more! Hark! what was that?" It was a call--an appeal for help. A voice from Mrs. Lee's room cried with energy,-- "Martha Hyde! Martha Hyde!" I rushed into the chamber, followed by Lottie, and found Mrs. Lee half risen on her sofa, tossing her arms about, and calling still upon my name, although she was yet asleep. Many moments passed before I could rouse her, and when I did, she sank back on the pillows perfectly exhausted. I administered such restoratives as were at hand, and, with Lottie's assistance, succeeded in bringing her out of the half swoon into which she had fallen; but she was fearfully weak, and much excited. "I have had such terrible dreams," she moaned, "I am afraid to go to sleep." "They are over now," I said, soothingly; "you shall sit up and have your tea." "Yes, please. Don't let me sleep any more, don't, Martha Hyde." All the while she held fast to my hand and looked wildly in my eyes, repeating,-- "Such dreadful dreams, Martha Hyde--oh! such dreadful dreams!" CHAPTER XXXIII. COMPANY FROM TOWN. That evening we had a number of visitors from the town, and so much gayety that it quite passed from my mind to speak with Mr. Lee concerning the call upon young Bosworth. Indeed, I was not in the parlors much of the time, for he came to me and asked if I would sit a while with his wife, as he could not leave his guests, and she was so much more nervous than usual, he did not like trusting her entirely with Lottie.