And then she turned to her young friends, to whom she thought some explanation was due, and she added:
"I have news in this letter that has much surprised and pained me. It is from my aunt, Mrs. Fanning. She has lost her husband, and has suffered very severe reverses of fortune. She is at this time alone in New York City, and in failing health. I shall write for her to come and live with us. And not to leave her a day in suspense, I shall telegraph from Wendover to-morrow morning."
"I'm glad she's coming. The more the merrier," said Electra, gayly.
Mrs. Grey said nothing. She arose as if to leave the room, tottered forward and fell to the floor in a dead swoon.
All started to their feet and rushed to the prostrate woman's assistance.
She was but a slight creature, and Dr. Jones lifted her easily and laid her on one of the sofas.
Electra flew upstairs to bring down a bottle of Florida water.
Dr. Jones bathed her brow with cold water, sighing and muttering to himself:
"I take blame to myself," said Emma. "She is evidently much iller than I thought. I ought not to have persuaded her to leave her room so soon after her cold. It is my fault."
At that instant Electra ran in with the Florida water and dashed a liberal portion of it over the head and face of the fainting woman.
The shock and the penetrating odor combined to rouse her from insensibility; and with a few gasps she recovered her consciousness; though her face, after one sudden flush, settled into a deadly paleness.
"My poor dear, how are you?" inquired Emma Cavendish, kindly.
"Dying, I think; dying, I hope! Let some one help me to my room," she murmured.
Dr. Jones at once lifted her in his arms and bore her upstairs, preceded by Electra, who flew on before to show the way to Mary Grey's room, and followed by Emma Cavendish, who still blamed herself for the invalid's supposed relapse.
Dr. Jones laid her on her bed, and was about to leave her to the care of Emma and Electra, when she seized his hand and drew him down to her face and said:
"I wish to speak to you for a moment _now_. Send Miss Cavendish and Miss Coroni out of the room for a little while."
"My dear children, go away for a moment. Mrs. Grey wishes to speak to me alone," said Dr. Jones.