She left his arms and began to climb the stairs.
"Mrs. Perry will bring it, Gareth," I said, hastily.
But there was no need for it. She clung to the balustrade feebly and turned back to look at Gustav.
"I'm afraid—I'm—I'm——" No more; for the next instant he had to catch her in his arms to save her from falling. She smiled to him as if trying to rally her strength. "My head," she murmured; and then the hand which was pressed to it dropped, and she fainted.
"You had better carry her up to bed," said his Excellency, practically.
"She has only fainted and will be better in a minute," answered the Count. "She shall not stay here;" and he carried her into one of the rooms and laid her on a couch, standing between me and her to prevent my approach. Every action appeared to be inspired by hatred of me instead of care for her.
Happily the doctor soon came, and his first words after he had examined her were that she must be carried at once to bed.
"I wish to remove her from the house," said Count Gustav.
"It is impossible," was the brusque, imperative reply.
"It is necessary."