"Nonsense! Don't be foolish!" laughed the doctor. Rose broke into sobs and Jacqueline recognized her, and the next moment mistress and maid were in each other's arms. They kissed and wept over each other for a minute or two and then Noel cried lightly:
"There you are! Now let's not have any more nonsense about dying!" While Noel kept up a running fire of pleasant chat in an effort to revive Jacqueline's spirits, Dr. Chennel drew Rose off to one side of the room.
"Where is M. Floriot?" he asked, in a low undertone.
"Just outside—with M. Raymond," replied Rose.
"Tell him not to go away!"
Rose looked up at him quickly and her cheeks paled.
"Do you—think that——" she stopped short.
The expression of his eyes gave her the answer.
"Hush!" he whispered. "It is only a question of time—and a short time!"
Rose slipped out and he returned to his patient in time to hear Noel reorganizing her wardrobe, with much laughter, and making plans for a trip to the country. She was smiling faintly, but the smile faded when he made her take some more of the bitter medicine.