"Lavinia!" cried the Earl again. He bent over the bed on which they had laid her slight figure, and his tumbled hair touched her hollow cheek. The Countess did not speak.
In the outer chamber was sudden commotion.
"'Tis my lady's father, nor will he be stopped."
Through the gaping crowds of servants a man's figure thrust forward. The Earl moved to the door of the inner chamber. Mr. Hilton, motioning aside those who sought to speak to or impede him, caught sight of my lord.
"Where is Lavinia?" he cried at a pitch of passion that was regardless of all about him. "I will speak to her, and to you, Lord Lyndwood."
"You cannot see your daughter, sir," said the Earl.
"Is the idle jade still abed? No matter, I must speak to her." He forced past the Earl into the bedchamber.
"Stand back!" cried my lord, and caught his arm. "Can you not see?"
Mr. Hilton turned on him fiercely.