She fell before Octavius could reach her. Aileen and Ann, hearing the bell, came running through the hall into the room.
"Help me up stairs, Aileen,"—the old woman was in command as usual,—"give me my cane, Ann; don't stand there staring like two fools."
Aileen made a sign to Octavius to call Hannah; the two women helped the mistress of Champ-au-Haut up to her room.
Mrs. Googe seemed not to have lost consciousness, for as Hannah bent over her she noticed that her eyelids quivered.
"She's all wore out, poor dear, that's what's the matter," said Hannah, raising her to a sitting position; she passed her hand tenderly over the dark hair.
Aileen came running down stairs bringing salts and cologne. Hannah bathed her forehead and chafed her wrists.
In a few minutes the white lips quivered, the eyes opened; she made an effort to rise. Octavius helped her to her feet; but for Aileen's arm around her she would have fallen again.
"Take me home, Tave." She spoke in a weak voice.
"I will, Aurora," he answered promptly, soothingly, although his hands trembled as he led her to a sofa; "I'll just hitch up the pair in the carryall and Hannah'll ride up with us, won't you, Hannah?"
"To be sure, to be sure. Don't you grieve yourself to death, Mis' Googe," she said tenderly.