“Nervous prostration consequent upon severe mental strain,” was the doctor’s verdict later.  “You will have to take great care of her, and keep her absolutely quiet, or I can’t be answerable for the consequences.  She is in a very critical state, and”—­he paused a moment—­“I think her husband ought to be with her.”

“Ah!” Hilda said, and no more.

He passed the matter over.  “Don’t let her talk at all if you can prevent it, and reassure her in every way possible.  I will send a composing draught, or she will be in a high fever before the morning.”

“You fear for the brain?” Hilda hazarded.

“I fear—­many things,” he answered uncompromisingly.

He took his departure just as Lord Percy and his guest arrived, and Hilda paused upon the step to greet her brother.

He sprang from the car before it came to a standstill, and she saw on the instant that he was in a towering fury.  Jack Forest, the kindly, the easy-going, the careless, was actually white with anger.

He scarcely stopped to greet her.  “Where is Chris?” he demanded.

“She is in bed,” Hilda answered, seeing he had heard the whole story.  “No,” as he turned inwards, “you can’t see her.  Indeed you mustn’t, Jack.  The doctor says—­”

“Damn the doctor!” said Jack.  “I’m going to see her, in bed or not.  Where is she?”

He was half-way upstairs with the words, and Hilda’s protest fell upon empty air.  She could only follow and look on.

Jack opened the first door he came to, and found himself in Chris’s presence.  He strode straight across the room, as one who had a perfect right, stooped over her as she lay, and gathered her up into his arms.

“My little sweetheart!” he said, and kissed her fiercely over and over again.

That woke her from her lethargy, as no more tender ministrations could have done.  She wound her arms about his neck, and clung to him like a lost child.

“Oh, Jack!” she said.  “Oh, Jack!” and burst into an agony of tears.

Hilda closed the door softly, and went away.  Jack’s treatment seemed the best, after all.

When she saw him again he was quite calm, but there was about him a grimness of purpose with which she was not familiar.  He drew her aside.

“Look here!  I can’t sleep on this.  I’m going to see Trevor—­at once.  If I don’t bring him to reason, I shall probably shoot him; but I haven’t told her that.  All she wants is to be left in peace, and peace she shall have, whatever the cost.”

“But, my dear boy, quarrelling with Trevor on her behalf won’t make for peace,” Hilda ventured to point out.

He acknowledged the truth of this with a brief nod.  “All the same, I’m damned if I’ll stand by and see him wreck her life.  Let me know how she goes on.  Send a wire to the club to-morrow.  No, don’t!  I’ll wire to you first, and let you know where I am.  I’m going straight back to the station now.  With any luck I ought to catch the afternoon express.  Where’s Percy?”