uncertainly forward, and fell headlong on the stage.
They were round her in a second, lifting her gently and tenderly. Her head had fallen back and a thin stream of blood was welling over the laces at her bosom.
"She is dead!" cried Saidie. "Oh, will someone fetch a doctor, quick!"
But almost before the words were spoken he was there, and when Bella opened her eyes they fell on the grave, anxious, kindly face of the man whose wife she had been.
"Jack! Jack! is this—the end?"
"Hush—no—no! Keep still—perfectly still—you must not move."
"I am not—in pain—a little dizzy—nothing more, and my head feels light."
"Drink this and don't talk. As soon as you are a little recovered we will go home."
"Home! Jack!"
Oh, the wistful look in the deep blue eyes—the prophetic droop about the perfect mouth! It was almost more than he could bear.
"I will go with you myself if you will do what I tell you, keep absolutely quiet—your life depends upon it."
She looked up tremulously.
"I don't care—a—cent now," she whispered.
She bore the journey to Cecil Street better than they could hope, and the bleeding from the lungs had ceased.
Downstairs Saidie expressed a wish to remain all night with her sister.
"She ought not to be left," she said.
"Most decidedly she must not be left," replied Sir John—"I intend remaining with your sister."
"You! Well, this beats all, upon my word!"
So great was Miss Blackall's surprise that when she found herself ousted from the position of head nurse and the door metaphorically closed upon her, she had not a word to say, but
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