She was more conscious now, and looked eagerly for one face, the solace of all sick children.
"Let Mummie hold my hand," she said.
Mrs. Lorrimer took it, bent down, and kissed her; Nora smiled as if a load had been lifted from her heart.
A rough litter was presently constructed, and with great difficulty the poor child was lifted into it. The pain of even this slight move, however, caused her to faint completely away.
It was at this juncture that Hester Thornton came forward with a suggestion.
"The Grange is nearly three miles nearer than the Towers," she said; "had not we better bring her there? And had not Guy better ride off at once to Nortonbury for the doctor?"
"That is a good idea," said Mr. Lorrimer. "Guy, mount on Black Bess's back and off with you. Bring Dr. Jervis back with you to the Grange if you can."
The merry little picnic party looked dismal enough as they slowly, and almost in funereal fashion, left the scene of festivity. The strongest of the party had to take turns to carry poor Nora's litter, for she could not endure any less easy movement.
Nan came up to Hester and took her hand.
"I don't know what the meaning of all this is," she said; "but, somehow or other, I think Annie must be at the bottom of it."