"I think you are the one to tell her," said the doctor again, rather stiffly.
Christine had heard their voices. She looked towards the door; she rose softly and came out to where the two men stood.
Her eyes were anxious, but she was a hundred miles from guessing the truth. She spoke to Jimmy Challoner.
"She's asleep, Jimmy. The nurse tells me that she only fainted. Oh, I ought not to have left her when I knew she wasn't well. I shall never forgive myself; but she'll be all right now if she has a nice sleep, poor darling."
Jimmy could not meet her eyes; he bit his lip hard to hide its sudden trembling.
The doctor came to Jimmy's rescue.
"Has your mother ever had similar attacks to this one, Miss Wyatt?" he asked.
Christine considered.
"She hasn't been very well lately. She's complained of being tired several times, and once she said she had a pain in her side; but——" She broke off; she looked breathlessly into his face. Suddenly she caught her breath hard, clutching at Jimmy Challoner's arm.
"Jimmy," she said shrilly.