“Where are the ladies?” inquired the General.
“They are both in their rooms fast asleep, sir,” answered Pina.
“Then go and wake up Mrs. Hammond, and ask her to come to us quickly here. And don’t, upon any account, disturb Mrs. Lyon,” said the General.
Pina left the room, with little Lenny lagging after her.
“It is very fortunate the two ladies are asleep, for now we can get Anna here, and talk to her alone; tell her all that we have learned, and warn her how to deal with Drusilla,” said the General.
Pina soon returned, with Mrs. Hammond, who in her great anxiety to hear the news came into the drawing-room just as she had risen from her bed, with her white dressing-gown wrapped around her, and her fair hair flowing over her shoulders.
“And now?—And now?—What?” she eagerly, breathlessly demanded.
“Pina, my good girl, take little Lenny down to the walk,” said the General. And when the nurse had taken the child from the room, he turned to Anna, and said:
“We know all that can be known now, my love.”
“Good Heavens! they have not met with any fatal result?” she gasped.