'You have heard of our sorrow!' said her ladyship in a faint voice.
'But this instant,' replied the Doctor, in a tone of great anxiety.'
Immediate danger—'
'Is past. She sleeps,' replied Lady Annabel.
'A most sudden and unaccountable attack,' said the Doctor.
It is difficult to describe the contending emotions of the mother as her companion made this observation. At length she replied, 'Sudden, certainly sudden; but not unaccountable. Oh! my friend,' she added, after a moment's pause, 'they will not be content until they have torn my daughter from me.'
'They tear your daughter from you!' exclaimed Doctor Masham. 'Who?'
'He, he,' muttered Lady Annabel; her speech was incoherent, her manner very disturbed.
'My dear lady,' said the Doctor, gazing on her with extreme anxiety, 'you are yourself unwell.'
Lady Annabel heaved a deep sigh; the Doctor bore her to a seat. 'Shall
I send for any one, anything?'
'No one, no one,' quickly answered Lady Annabel. 'With you, at least, there is no concealment necessary.'