His medical logic was interrupted by a low cry from the stricken wife, and then she fainted dead away.

Mildred, on the contrary, stepped forward, with a pale, stern face, and said, “I will take charge of these,” and she, carried the agents of their ruin to her own room.  Instantly she returned, and assisted Mrs. Wheaton in the restoration of her mother.

To Belle, who had looked on dazed, trembling, and bewildered, Roger whispered, “I shall be within call all night.”

CHAPTER XXXI

AN OPIUM MANIAC’S CHRISTMAS

Beneath his brusque manner Dr. Benton masked a kind heart when once its sympathies were touched.  He soon became satisfied that Mr. Jocelyn’s family were not trying to shield his patient, but were, on the contrary, overwhelmed with dismay and shame at the truth which he had made clear to them.  He therefore set about helping them, in his own prosaic but effective way, and he did not leave them until they were all as well and quiet as the dread circumstances of the situation permitted.  Opium slaves are subject to accidents like that which had overtaken Mr. Jocelyn, who, through heedlessness or while half unconscious, had taken a heavy overdose, or else had punctured a vein with his syringe.  Not infrequently habitues carelessly, recklessly, and sometimes deliberately end their wretched lives in this manner.  Dr. Benton knew well that his patient was in no condition to enter upon any radical curative treatment, and it was his plan to permit the use of the drug for a few days, seeking meanwhile to restore as far as possible his patient’s shattered system, and then gain the man’s honest and hearty co-operation in the terrible ordeal essential to health and freedom.  If Mr. Jocelyn had not the nerve and will-power to carry out his treatment—­which he much doubted—­he would advise that he be induced to go to an institution where the will of others could enforce the abstinence required.  He believed that Mr. Jocelyn would consent to this, when convinced of his inability to endure the ordeal in his own strength.  Having explained his intentions and hopes to Mrs. Jocelyn and Mildred, he left them cast down indeed, but not utterly devoid of hope.

It seemed to them that the husband and father must renounce the fatal habit at once, in response to their appeals.  They could not understand that it was already beyond his power to break his chains—­that they must be broken by other hands, if broken at all.

It may well be doubted if the light of Christmas day dawned on a sadder household than that which was sheltered in the old mansion.  Worn and exhausted to the last degree, and yet sleepless from anxiety, grief, and shame, the two women watched beside the fitful, half-conscious man.  At last he appeared to throw off his stupor sufficiently to recognize his wife; but it was with a strange look, in which were blended fear, suspicion, and shame.  A cold perspiration