"If you will ask the young lady to wait, sir," the man said again with a sort of agitation.
A little flame of apprehension swept across Jimmy's face. He spoke to
Christine.
"Wait for me a moment—just a moment." He turned again to the man.
"Well—well, what is it?"
The man lowered his voice.
"The lady, sir—Mrs. Wyatt; she was taken very ill an hour ago. The doctor is with her now. I was told to tell you as soon as you came in, so that you could warn the young lady, sir."
Christine had come forward.
"Is anything the matter?" she asked. She looked from Jimmy to the porter wonderingly. Jimmy took her hand.
"Your mother isn't very well, dear." The little word slipped out unconsciously. "There is a doctor with her now. . . . No, don't be worried. I dare say it's nothing. I'll come up with you and see."
Christine fled up the staircase. She was already in her mother's room when Jimmy overtook her. Through the half-closed door he could see the doctor and a woman in nurse's dress. His heart began to race. Supposing Mrs. Wyatt were really ill; supposing—— The doctor came out to him as he stood on the landing.
"Are you—are you a relative of Mrs. Wyatt's?" he asked.