[CHAPTER XVII.]
Lilia Stuart was very much frightened by her father's strange seizure. She was about to scream loudly for help when Irene, with a sensitive horror of scenes, laid her white hand gently but firmly over the parted lips.
"Do not be frightened, Lilia," she said. "Get some cold water. That is all that is necessary."
Lilia sprang to the ice-flagon and returned with a glass of cold water in her trembling grasp. Irene thrust her white hand into the cold fluid, and deluged Mr. Stuart's rigid white face with it.
It produced the desired effect. Mr. Stuart shivered, opened his eyes, and stared blankly around him for a moment.
"Oh, papa, you are better," cried Lilia, springing to throw her arms around his neck. "I am so frightened, dearest papa, shall I not call mamma?"
Something like dread or fear flashed for a moment into his open dark eyes.
"No, for Heaven's sake, don't!" he exclaimed, testily; "I detest scenes! There is nothing at all the matter with me! Say nothing to your mother, Lilia. You understand me?"
"Yes, papa," the girl replied, obediently. "But what made you faint?" she continued, curiously.