The others had obeyed her behest and fled from the house, leaving her to battle single-handed with the enraged animal, while they filled the air with cries for help.
A horseman came at a swift gallop up the road, putting spurs to his steed as the sounds of distress greeted his ear.
"What is it?" he asked, drawing rein in front of the house and springing from the saddle.
"Oh, Dr. Clendenin, there's a mad cat in the house, and Miss Nell's trying to kill it!" cried the two women and Flora in chorus; but the words were scarcely uttered before he had dashed in at the open door.
His heart leaped into his throat at sight of the prostrate form on the confused heap of bedding, the body of the strangled cat so near that the toe of her slipper touched it.
"Oh, my darling!" he exclaimed in low, moved tones as he sprang to her side.
Then in almost frantic haste he searched for the marks of the creature's teeth on her hands and arms. There were none.
He tore off her shoes and stockings, his hands trembling, his face pale with a terrible fear.
"Thank God!" he said at last, drawing a long breath of relief.
He knelt down, loosened her dress, laid her more comfortably, her head lower, doing all with exceeding tenderness, and turning to Mrs. Nash, who had ventured in after him, leaving her little ones in Mrs. Barbour's care, said huskily: "Some cold water! quick! quick! She has fainted."