Leaving Helene in her father's care, Rose followed the solemn little procession into the President's room. Dr. Chennel met her at the door and gave her a few hasty orders as to medicine, and she hurried away. Then he turned to the patient.
In a moment he had Noel administering smelling salts and Raymond moistening her temples with cologne, which he produced from his emergency tag. Floriot, with white, compressed lips and frightened eyes, stood watching as the doctor felt her pulse, listened with ear to her heart, and turned back the lids of the sightless eyes.
Floriot was the first to speak.
"Is she—in danger?" he whispered, brokenly. The doctor slowly shook his head.
"I can't tell yet," he replied, without taking his eyes off her face. "Her heart is undoubtedly badly affected. It is worn out—like the rest of her. My great fear is that she may die of utter exhaustion."
Floriot turned away with an inarticulate groan.
"Doctor! I think she moved just now!" exclaimed Noel. The doctor was watching her face keenly.
"Yes, she's coming around all right," he nodded. "This crisis is over, but——" He shrugged his shoulders.
The dark eyelids trembled and slowly opened. There was a long, fluttering sigh. Dr. Chennel bent over.
"How do you feel now?" he asked. She swallowed slowly once or twice, and looked listlessly at the circle of faces around her. Floriot was standing where he could not be seen.