A better and a more powerful spirit than her own gave this order, and she perforce obeyed it; but when she reached the dining-room, she threw herself on the sofa in a frantic passion.
"I have been insulted," she cried. "I have been insulted shamefully. Oh, Isabel! that woman will be the death of me!"
"Perhaps she will die herself, mother. Ducie says she has hurt her brain in falling—a concussion, she said."
"Not a bad concussion, though——"
"No, a slight one, but one never knows, and she is so excitable——"
Thus they comforted each other until the porters arrived, and went upstairs for the mattress. Their rough voices and heavy feet, and the natural confusion attending their business roused Mrs. Campbell and her daughters to a pitch of distraction, only to be relieved by motion and loud talking. Walking up and down the room, and striking her large cruel hands together, Mrs. Campbell was heard above all the confusion attending the removal of Theodora; and in the midst of this confusion, Robert came home.
"Whatever is the matter, Jepson?" he asked in an angry voice.
"The doctor will tell you, sir. I fear my young mistress is dying."
He did not answer, but went rapidly to his rooms. They were in the utmost disorder, the windows open and the rooms empty. He rushed upstairs then, and Dr. Fleming met him at the door of Theodora's room.
"Doctor, where is my wife? What is wrong?"