"Is she dangerously ill?"
"No doubt. But how many people are there, lying in danger daily, who recover! The worst of it is, she is so excited, so restless: the doctors don't like that. It is not to be wondered at, with this trouble in the house; she could not have fallen ill at a more unfortunate time. I think she has a good constitution."
"Mamma used to say that all the Carews had that. They were in general long-lived."
Charlotte Delves looked round at me. "Your mamma was not long-lived. She died young—so to say."
"But mamma's illness came on first from an accident. She was hurt in India. Oh Miss Delves! can't anything be done to cure my Aunt Selina?"
"My dear, everything will be done that it is possible to do. The doctors talk of the shock to the system; but, as I say, she is young. You must not be too anxious; it would answer no end. Had you a nice walk this morning?"
"Yes."
She finished her hair, and put on the pretty cap, its rich lace lappets falling behind the curls. Then she took up her watch and chain, and looked out at the window as she put them round her neck.
"Here's a policeman coming to the house! I wonder what he wants?"
"Has there been any news yet of George Heneage?"