"Admirable!" said his critic.
"Bravo! Would you like to stop now ?" "Not until you tell me to," he said determinedly, but with a gasp.
"It must be dreadfully painful," she replied coldly, "but I should like you to go on." And he went on until suddenly he seemed to have lost the power to lift his feet.

His body swayed; there was an appealing look on his face.

"Don't be afraid; you won't fall," said Grizel.

But she had scarcely said it when he fainted dead away, and went down at her feet.
"Oh, how dare you!" she cried in sudden flame, and she drew back from him.

But after a moment she knew that he was shamming no longer--or she knew it and yet could not quite believe it; for, hurrying out of the room for water, she had no sooner passed the door than she swiftly put back her head as if to catch him unawares; but he lay motionless.
The sight of her dear brother on the floor paralyzed Elspeth, who could only weep for him, and call to him to look at her and speak to her.