White as death, she met his look and answered faintly—
“He betrayed my mother and murdered my father.”
Then, before he could prevent, slipped to the ground.
For the first time in her life, she had fainted.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE SHE HAD FAINTED.
He raised her to a chair, and fetched brandy himself, but it was some minutes before she opened her eyes.
As soon as she was fully sensible he made her drink some brandy mixed with water, fairly pouring it down her throat.
Then he spoke to her, firmly holding her hands in a strong grasp.
And by degrees, with her face hidden on his shoulder, she told him the story of Ainslie’s treachery, her mother’s weakness, and of her father’s nobility, though it cost him his life.