"This is scarlet fever," she said, before she had properly closed the door.
A thrill went through me as she spoke. In an instant I seemed to see all the trouble, anxiety and loss that this outbreak of illness might involve in such a household as ours.
"Are you sure?" I gasped.
"I don't think I am mistaken," said Miss Cottrell. "I have seen it before, indeed, I've had it myself. I need not tell you to be brave, Miss Darracott. We must keep our heads in this emergency or there will be a panic in the household."
"Yes, yes," I said. "Mr. Dicks has written to ask Dr. Poole to call, but something might be done to hasten his arrival."
"Certainly; a messenger must be sent for him," said Miss Cottrell. "I'll go and break the news to Mrs. Lucas. You had better go back into the room for the present, for you must not go near your cousin. Have you ever had scarlet fever, by the by?"
I shook my head but smiled. I was determined not to be nervous on my own account.
"Then I will soon come and relieve you," she said. "There is not great danger of infection yet, but we must take every precaution."
When I re-entered the room I found Paulina in tears and knew that she must have overheard Miss Cottrell's diagnosis.
"Oh, Nan, if it is scarlet fever, I shall die as my mother did. There is nothing I dread so much," she sobbed, forgetting that a few minutes before she had been in terror of quite another malady.