"Of course, you can!" he cried, cuddling her up close to him. "It was all a nightmare, and you're awake now. Don't cry, Jacqueline, don't cry! We're all together again, and we'll all be happy together and your son——"
Jacqueline tore herself away from him with a frightened cry and tried to rise.
"Raymond!" she gasped. "Has any one told him? Does he know?"
"No! No! He doesn't know anything yet!" Noel assured her hastily. But the dread of meeting her son and having him know her was too strong. She still struggled to rise, but was too weak.
"Is he here?" she panted. "He mustn't see me! Oh, let me go away! Let me go away!"
She got half-way out of her chair, but fell back exhausted. Dr. Chennel stepped forward and laid a hand on her arm.
"You will be able to go presently, madame," he said, quietly. "Your strength will come back to you shortly."
Jacqueline glanced at him eagerly.
"You are a doctor, aren't you?" she panted.
"Yes," he replied, with a nod. "Don't excite yourself and I'll cure you in a few minutes, for can have perfect confidence in me. I am a friend of your son—a friend of Raymond!"