"No reason why, sir," answered Mr. Fabian, who then stooped to the woman and whispered: "Nor need you be so. You are safe for the present."
"Will you get out of my way and let me come to my place?" demanded the Iron King.
"Pardon me, sir," said Fabian, stepping backward from the carriage.
"Fainting?" said the old man, in a tone of annoyance, as he took his seat beside his new wife—"fainting? The first Mrs. Rockharrt never fainted in her life; nor ever gave any sort of trouble. What's the matter with you, Rose? Don't be a consummate fool and turn nervous. I won't stand any nonsense," he said roughly, as he peered into the pale face of his new slave.
"Oh, it is nothing," she faltered—"nothing. I was overcome by heat. It is a very hot day."
"Why, it is a very cool afternoon. What do you mean?" he demanded.
"It has been a very hot day, and the heat and fatigue—"
"Rubbish!" he interrupted. "If I were to give any attention to your faints, you would be fainting every day just to have a fuss made over you. Now this fainting business has got to be stopped. Do you hear? If you are out of order, I will send for my family physician and have you examined. If you are really ill, you shall be put under medical treatment; if you are not, I will have no fine lady airs and affectations. The first Mrs. Rockharrt was perfectly free from them."
"I would not have given way to the weakness if I could have helped it—indeed I would not!" said the poor woman, very sincerely.
"We'll see to that!" retorted the Iron King.