He forgot to say that he was sorry; he only bit his lip in chagrin.

“Will you come in?” invited the maid.

“Is Mr. Jack home?”

“No, sir.”

“Then I won’t come in, thank you,” he replied.

“Shall I tell Miss Marjorie that you called, Mr. Hadley?”

“Yes, I wish you would,” he answered grimly.

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE CRISIS.

Marjorie, however, did not hear of John’s visit the next day, for all night long she tossed in a fever, and towards morning she relaxed into a sort of stupor. The whole family were seriously alarmed; Jack was sent for, and the physician summoned earlier than he was expected.