He bent and kissed his darling's pale, upturned face, and then went swiftly out of the house.
Presently, however, he returned with a foreign looking flask or bottle in his hand.
"Here is some brandy," he said, giving it to Virgie. "Mix some of it with two-thirds as much water, and feed your father a teaspoonful at a time every few minutes until he begins to rally, and call all your courage to your aid, dear. Meantime, I will go to the nearest telegraph station and send a message to Virginia City for a skillful physician."
Virgie looked up at him with quivering lips.
"Oh, what a comfort it is to have you to help me at this time!" she said.
He drew her into his arms and held her for a moment while she laid her lips, softly and gracefully, to his cheek, in the first voluntary caress that she had ever given him.
The act touched him, and told him how trustfully she relied upon him.
"My darling, I wish I could save you from every pang," he said, tenderly. "But I must not linger—we must have help for your father as soon as possible. Good-by, my love, for a little while, and be sure that I will come back just as quickly as I can."
He went quickly out, and Virgie stole softly into her father's chamber, to do what she could for him, and her heart began to gather something of hope and courage when a few minutes later she heard the clatter of a horse's hoofs outside, and knew that her lover was on the way for help.
Sir William did not spare his horse until he reached the station.