"Mademoiselle, it was my fault! Oh, if I had been more careful to obey your orders it would never have happened!"
His contrition was so deep that he could not proceed.
"Has Madame de Gramont discovered who sent the salver?" asked Madeleine, with an air of vexation.
"That's not the worst, Mademoiselle. The countess has found out how Mrs. Lawkins came there. She overheard us talking about the milk-jug I missed. Madame de Gramont was very violent; she said such things of you, Mademoiselle, that Mrs. Lawkins, who loves you like her own, couldn't stand it, and gave her a bit of her mind, and M. de Gramont was roused up also; he wouldn't hear you spoken against; he took on so it caused him another attack; down he dropped like dead!"
"My father,—he has been seized again, and"—Maurice did not finish his sentence, but caught up his hat.
"I've been for the doctor, sir," said Robert; "he's there by this time."
Maurice was out of the room, and hurrying toward the street door; Madeleine sprang after him.
"Maurice! Maurice! Stay one moment! Oh, if I could be near your father,—if I could see him! My imprudence has been the cause of this last stroke; yet I feel that he would gladly have me near him."
"He would indeed, my best Madeleine; but, my grandmother, alas! I have no hope of moving her."
"If her son were dying," persisted Madeleine, "her heart might be softened. If he asked for me, she might let me come to him; it would soothe him perhaps, and how it would comfort me! I shall be at the hotel nearly as soon as you are. I will wait in my carriage until you come to me and tell me how he is. Perhaps I may be permitted to enter if he asks for me. Do not forget that I am there."