She shrank away from him with a low, shuddering cry, and then, without word or warning, fell forward, and would have dropped to the floor had he not caught her in his arms.
Mr. Huntress, who entered the room at that moment, sprang forward, with a cry of alarm.
“What is the matter?” he asked, his attention all concentrated upon Gladys, and never suspecting the dreadful trick that had been played upon them all.
“The excitement has been too much for her, I fear,” Everet responded, in a low tone.
Mr. Huntress took the senseless girl from him, saying:
“Open that door behind you; we must get her away before that crowd comes pouring in. My poor girl! what can have caused this unusual fainting turn?”
Everet eagerly obeyed his command, and Gladys was borne into a small sitting room, and laid upon a sofa there.
The next moment Mrs. Huntress’ anxious face appeared in the door-way.
“Oh, August, what has happened?” she cried.
“Gladys has fainted, from some cause or other. Go, Geoff” he continued, turning to Everet, “and send some one immediately for Doctor Hoyt.”