With a contemptuous gesture he tossed Avery's letters upon the table and stalked from the room.
Mrs.Lorimer uttered a wild cry of despair, and fell back fainting in her chair.
For the next quarter of an hour Avery was fully occupied in restoring her, again assisted by Ronald.

When she came to herself, it was only to shed anguished tears on Avery's shoulder and repeat over and over again that she could not bear it, she could not bear it.
Avery was of the same opinion, but she did not say so.

She strove instead with the utmost tenderness to persuade her to drink some tea.
But even when she had succeeded in this, Mrs.Lorimer continued to be so exhausted and upset that at last, growing uneasy, Avery despatched Ronald for the doctor.
She sent Olive for the children's nurse and took counsel with her as to getting her mistress back to bed.

But Nurse instantly discouraged this suggestion.
"For the Lord's sake, ma'am, don't take her upstairs!" she said.

"The master's up there with Miss Gracie, and he's whipping the poor lamb something cruel.