Was this dreaming only; or was it some kind of seizure which called for medical aid?
At her ladyship's age the idea of paralysis was not too improbable for belief.

If this was a dream, then indeed the visions of Lady Maulevrier's head upon her bed were more terrible than the dreams of common mortals.
In any case Mr.Hammond felt that it was his duty to send some attendant to Lady Maulevrier, some member of the household who was familiar with her ladyship's habits, her own maid if that person could be unearthed easily.

He knew that the servants slept in a separate wing; but he thought it more than likely that her ladyship's personal attendant occupied a room near her mistress.
He went back to the corridor and looked round him in doubt, for a moment or two.
Close against her ladyship's door there was a swing door, covered with red cloth, which seemed to communicate with the old part of the house.
John Hammond pushed this door, and it yielded to his hand, revealing a lamp-lit passage, narrow, old-fashioned, and low.

He thought it likely that Lady Maulevrier's maid might occupy a room in this half-deserted wing.

As he pushed open the door he saw an elderly man coming towards him, with a candle in his hand, and with the appearance of having huddled on his clothes hastily.
'You heard that scream ?' said Hammond.
'Yes.