St. Leon hastened to her. They raised her up, but it was some little time before she recovered. None could understand what had caused her swoon.
"She was sitting with Laurie on her knee talking very brightly and pleasantly, and quite suddenly—all at once, as it were—her arms dropped from around the child and she fell like one dead," said Mr. Ford. "I cannot understand it. Has your mother any heart disease, Mr. Le Roy?"
"None, but she is not very strong," St. Leon answered. "She very seldom goes out."
Then she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Take me home, St. Leon," she said, "I am very tired."
Mrs. Lynn pressed her cordially to remain at Belle Vue until she was better.
"No, I cannot stay now," Mrs. Le Roy answered gravely. "But you will pardon my display of weakness, Mrs. Lynn, and you will come to see me soon—will you not?"
Mrs. Lynn promised with a smile that she would certainly accept the invitation.
"And the child—you will be sure to bring him?" said Mrs. Le Roy, kissing the wondering little face.
"If you wish it," assented the beautiful young authoress, and her face grew paler still when Mrs. Le Roy impulsively kissed her cheek. St. Leon wondered why her small hand was so cold as he pressed it lightly at parting. He would have wondered yet more could he have seen the white, agonized face she turned upon Mr. Ford when they had gone away.