Inextinguishable thirst tormented her; burning pains; throbbing in the temples; and violent fluttering of the heart.

No alleviation of her sufferings could be obtained from the remedies administered by Luke Hatton, who was in constant attendance upon her; nor will this be wondered at, since we are in the secret of his dark doings.

On the contrary, the fever increased in intensity; and at the end of four days of unremitting agony,--witnessed with cynical indifference by the causer of the mischief,--it was evident that her case was desperate.
From the first Lady Lake had been greatly alarmed, for with all her faults she was an affectionate mother, though she had a strange way of showing her affection; and she was unremitting in her attentions to the sufferer, scarcely ever quitting her bedside.

After a few days, however, thus spent in nursing her daughter, she herself succumbed to a like malady.

The same devouring internal fire scorched her up, and raged within her veins; the same unappeasable thirst tormented her; and unable longer to fulfil her task, she confided it to Sarah Swarton, and withdrew to another chamber, communicating by a side door, masked by drapery, with that of Lady Roos.
Devoted to her mistress, Sarah Swarton would have sacrificed her life to restore her to health; and she cared not though the fever might be infectious.