Lady Dudgeon had just hunted up Sir Thomas in the library (he had ventured downstairs for an hour this afternoon), in order to point out to him a flagrant error of two shillings in the casting of the butcher's monthly account, when there came a tap at the door, and next moment Miss Deane entered.
"I hope, Lady Dudgeon, you will pardon my intrusion," she said, "but my cousin, Mr. Kelvin, has been suddenly taken ill, and----"
"Kelvin ill!" burst out Sir Thomas. "What is the matter with him? Where is he?"
"He is in the conservatory, Sir Thomas. A sudden attack--giddiness--nausea. I have ordered the fly to be brought round in which he drove over from Pembridge."
"It's nothing contagious, I hope," said her ladyship. "My two darling pets--where are they?"
"Safe in the schoolroom. But your ladyship need fear nothing on the score of contagion."
"I am sorry I can't go and look after him myself," said the baronet. "Is he well enough to be sent home alone?"
"I was about to ask her ladyship to allow me to go home with him," said Olive, "although, in such a case, I could not promise to get back before to-morrow morning."
"It is very thoughtful on your part, Miss Deane," said her ladyship. "You must go with Mr. Kelvin, by all means."
"Your ladyship is very kind."