’I have had such a lovely sleep, Ursula, and without any bad dreams.  I feel so refreshed.’

‘I am so glad to hear it, dear,’ I replied; and, overjoyed at this good news, I went out into the passage to find Chatty, for I wanted Mr. Hamilton to know at once of this improvement.  He had been very anxious the previous night, and had talked of consulting with an old friend of his who knew Gladys’s constitution.

On the threshold I encountered Miss Darrell.

‘Were you looking for any one?’ she asked coldly.

’Yes, for Chatty.  I want Mr. Hamilton to know that Gladys has had three hours’ sleep, and has awakened refreshed and without any nervous feelings.  Will you be kind enough to tell him?’

’Oh, certainly:  not that I attach much importance to such a transient improvement.  Gladys’s case is far too serious for me to be so sanguine.  I believe you have not nursed these nervous patients before.  If Giles had taken my advice he would have had a person trained to this special work.’

‘Gladys’s case does not require that sort of nurse,’ I replied quickly.  ’Excuse me, Miss Darrell, but I am anxious that Mr. Hamilton should know of his sister’s improvement before he goes out.  Chatty told me that they had sent for him from Abbey Farm.’

‘Yes, I believe so,’ she replied carelessly.  ’Don’t trouble yourself Miss Garston:  I am quite as anxious as yourself that Giles’s mind should be put at rest.  He has had worry enough, poor fellow.’

I was rather surprised and disappointed when, ten minutes afterwards, I heard the hall door close, and, hurrying to a window, I saw Mr. Hamilton walking very quickly in the direction of Maplehurst.  A moment afterwards Chatty brought me a message from him.  He had been called off suddenly, and might not be back for hours.  If I wanted him, Atkinson was to take one of the horses.  He would probably be at Abbey Farm or at Gunter’s Cottages in the Croft.

This message rather puzzled me.  After turning it over in my mind, I went in search of Miss Darrell.  I found her in the conservatory gathering some flowers.

‘Did you give my message to Mr. Hamilton?’ I asked, rather abruptly.  I thought she hesitated and seemed a little confused.

’What message?  Oh, I remember,—­about Gladys.  No, I just missed him:  he had gone out.  But it is of no consequence, is it?  I will tell him when he comes home.’

I would not trust myself to reply.  She must have purposely loitered on her way downstairs, hoping to annoy me.  He would spend an anxious day, for I knew he was very uncomfortable about Gladys:  perhaps he would write to Dr. Townsend.  It was no use speaking to Miss Darrell:  she was only too ready to thwart me on all occasions.  I would take the matter into my own hands.  I went down to the stables and found Atkinson, and asked him to ride over to Abbey Farm and take a note to his master.

‘I hope Miss Gladys is not worse, ma’am,’ he said civilly, looking rather alarmed at his errand; but when I had satisfied him on this point he promised to find him as quickly as possible.