CHAPTER X.
Mother and Son.
They had scarcely been gone a moment, when a confused noise was heard without, and Charcam re-entered the room, with a countenance of the utmost bewilderment and alarm.
"What's the matter with the man ?" demanded Wild.
"Her ladyship--" faltered the attendant.
"What of her ?" cried the knight.

"Is she returned!" "Y--e--s, Sir Rowland," stammered Charcam.
"The devil!" ejaculated Jonathan.

"Here's a cross-bite." "But that's not all, your honour," continued Charcam; "Mrs.Norris says she's dying." "Dying!" echoed the knight.
"Dying, Sir Rowland.

She was taken dreadfully ill on the road, with spasms and short breath, and swoonings,--worse than ever she was before.
And Mrs.Norris was so frightened that she ordered the postboys to drive back as fast as they could.

She never expected to get her ladyship home alive." "My God!" cried Trenchard, stunned by the intelligence, "I have killed her." "No doubt," rejoined Wild, with a sneer; "but don't let all the world know it." "They're lifting her out of the carriage," interposed Charcam; "will it please your honour to send for some advice and the chaplain ?" "Fly for both," returned Sir Rowland, in a tone of bitter anguish.
"Stay!" interposed Jonathan.