There was, however, very little time to think of that now. My business was pressing.
"Come outside in the passage a minute," I said, in a low voice, still hearing no sound from the other side of the curtain. "I want to speak to you."
"Lady MacNairne——" she began.
I put my finger to my lips. "Sh!" said I.
"Oh, did you know she was ill?" asked Nell.
I shook my head.
"She is, poor dear. She had the most sudden attack, just after we came down, and Phyllis and I haven't been able to leave her. She wouldn't let one of us go up to tell you."
"Wonderful little woman!" I could scarcely refrain from exclaiming. "Her cleverness—I mean her consideration—is extraordinary."
"It was her heart," explained Nell. "She's been lying down ever since, holding Phyllis's hand and mine. But she's better now, and I'm not sure she hasn't gone to sleep, for when I heard you call me, and tried to slip my hand out of hers, she didn't seem to notice."
"She wouldn't," I said—to myself. "Where's Tibe?" I asked aloud.