"I have been thinking about you this afternoon," he remarked. "Sit down." But before she had settled herself his practised eyes had detected something wrong. "What is it?" he asked.
"Nerves," she answered. "Give me something."
He went to an inner room, and returned presently with a colourless draught in a medicine glass. She took it from him and drank it mechanically, and then he placed a cushion for her, and she leant back in the deep armchair, and closed her eyes. Dr. Galbraith looked at her for a few seconds seriously, and then returned to his writing. Presently Lord Dawne came in, and raised his eyebrows inquiringly when he saw Angelica, who seemed to be asleep.
"Overwrought," Dr. Galbraith replied to the silent inquiry.
"There was a fracas at Hamilton House just now," her uncle observed. "But how is all this going to end?"
"Well, of course; but you had better leave her to me."
Lord Dawne quietly withdrew.
"Oh, the blessed rest and peace of this place!" Angelica exclaimed shortly afterward.
Dr. Galbraith, who had resumed his writing, put down his pen again, and turned to her.
"Talk to me," she said. "I've lost my self-respect. I've lost heart. I'm a good-for-nothing worthless person. How am I to get out of this dreadful groove?"