Aldous advanced into the inner hall at sight of Marcella, leaving his companions behind in the vestibule taking off their coats.

Marcella ran to him.
"Papa is ill!" she said to him hastily.

"Mamma has sent for Dr.Clarke.
She won't let me go up, and wants us to take no notice and have tea without her." "I am so sorry! Can we do anything?
The dogcart is here with a fast horse.

If your messenger went on foot--" "Oh, no! they are sure to have sent the boy on the pony.

I don't know why, but I have had a presentiment for a long time past that papa was going to be ill." She looked white and excited.