“She has fainted, that is all,” replied Nick. “How is it that you are here?”
“My mother was already informed, it seems. She sent me to bring Mercedes to her.”
“Ah! Well, your sister is already reviving. It will be better, when she opens her eyes, that she should not discover a stranger. I will step to one side, out of her range of vision. When she is sufficiently recovered, you can break the news of Orizaba’s death to her.”
Nick passed outside the arbor, but he stood where he could not only observe, but also hear all that took place between brother and sister, and, for reasons of his own, the circumstance was one which entirely accorded with his wishes.
“Mercedes,” said Danton, in a low, eager tone. “It is I—Med.”
She sighed and seemed to make an effort to smile, but it was a failure.
“I fainted, did I not?” she whispered.
“Yes, dear. I think so. Why did you faint? What was the matter? You looked so well when I saw you in the garden only a little while ago. What happened to you, Mercedes?”
“Did I look well? Did I look happy? Oh, Meadows! How can you say that?”
“Why, what is the matter, child-sister? Why do you look so frightened? Your eyes——”