Ross was now exceedingly alarmed. She rang the bell, and sent for Miss Conway, who, in her turn, tried to pacify the sick child. But Margaret paid no more attention to her governess than she had to Ross.
"I am afraid she is going to be very ill," Miss Conway said in much distress. "All her trouble seems to be about her brother. Fetch him, Ross; perhaps the sight of him will satisfy her."
So Gerald was brought to his sister's bedside. He was somewhat frightened when told Margaret was ill; but in obedience to Miss Conway, he stooped over the bed to kiss her. She, however, pushed him away with feverish strength, and covered her eyes with her hand.
"Take him away!" she cried. "What is that strange boy doing here?"
"It's Gerald, dear Margaret," said the governess softly. "Your own brother come to show you that he is quite well, and—"
"No, no; Gerald's drowned, I tell you! Oh, what will mother say? She loves him so."
At this point, Gerald, realising that there was something very strange and unusual about his sister, began to cry, and was hurried out of the room.
Thoroughly shocked, Miss Conway sent a groom to N— immediately, to fetch a doctor; and within a few hours, the news had spread through the village of Yelton that the little girl at Greystone was very ill. Mr. Amyatt, as soon as he heard the tidings, considerately invited Gerald to spend the remainder of the day at the Vicarage; and Salome Petherick arrived at the back door of Greystone in the afternoon to make inquiries.
The cook, who had been stewing beef-tea, insisted on Salome's coming inside and resting in her easy-chair.
"Mrs. Moyle told me of Miss Margaret's illness," the lame girl said, her face expressive of the deepest concern. "I hope it is nothing serious?"