She struggled, felt her breath failing, tried to rise, and fell back unconscious.
At the same time Alice was sitting in the drawing-room, in conversation with Mr.Willis Rodman.

'Arry having been invited for this evening, Rodman was asked with him, as had been the case before.

'Arry was at present amusing himself in the stables, exchanging sentiments with the groom.

Rodman sat near Alice, or rather he knelt upon a chair, so that at any moment he could assume a standing attitude before her.

He talked in a low voice.
'You'll come out to-night ?' 'No, not to-night.