"Oh, may I not stay?" asked Molly.
"No, my dear, I think not; there must be some head at home. Jane Macalister will stay and help your mother to-night until we can get the services of a proper nurse. Take the children back as soon as you can, Molly. God bless you, my love."
The Squire stepped into the doctor's brougham and was driven rapidly away. Molly raised her hand to her forehead.
"I feel stunned," she said. "Nora was the gayest and the brightest and the prettiest of us all. Nothing ever seemed to happen to Nora, and now she is so ill that I may not even see her."
"She will be better to-morrow, I am sure," said Hester.
"Oh, Hetty, if I could only stay here," cried poor Molly.
"I wish you could, Molly, with all my heart."
"We'll know nothing of how she's getting on at the Towers," continued Molly. "I think it will drive me mad not to know."
"I'll come over very early in the morning and tell you, and perhaps something may be arranged to-morrow so that you can stay here."