"It wasn't the fall that caused it," and Miss Arabella covered her face with her hand. "It goes deeper than that."
"Dear me, madam, you must certainly see the doctor. It is very serious, and you must not delay any longer. I believe the doctor lives down the road. Shall I call on him on my way home, and tell him to come at once?"
Before Miss Arabella could reply, a raucous honk outside arrested their attention.
"It's merely the car," Mr. Markham explained. "I must be going now."
"What, so soon? Must you leave me again?" and the invalid raised her eyes appealingly to the man's face.
"Yes, I must be off. My wife will be wondering what——"
"Your wife!" Miss Arabella shrieked, sitting bolt upright. "Do you tell me that you have a wife!"
"Certainly. She is waiting for me with some friends down the road. Several of us men took a spin this afternoon so that the women could have a little chat together. It is getting late now, and we must hurry back to the city. This accident has delayed us. So, good-bye, madam. I trust you soon will be well. I shall see about the carriage at once."
With that, he left the house, closely followed by Rod, leaving Miss
Arabella speechless upon the sofa.