'You have no father, I believe, Miss Drummond?' said Mrs. Lindsay, who had been observing her.
'No; poor papa died quite suddenly about two years ago,' was the reply.
'Suddenly?' queried Mrs. Lindsay, becoming interested.
'Yes,' said Annot hesitatingly.
'In what way—by an accident?'
'Oh, dear—no.'
'How then?'
'Of disease of the heart; we never suspected it, but he dropped down dead—quite dead—while poor mamma was speaking to him about a drive in the park—but oh! what have I said to startle you so?' she added, on perceiving that Mrs. Lindsay grew pale as ashes, and half closing her eyes, pressed her hand upon her left breast, a custom she had when excited.
'Nothing—nothing—only a faintness,' she said, with something of irritation; 'it is the wind without.'
'But there is none,' urged Annot.