She did love Dr.Richards; and the losing him was enough of itself to drive her mad; but worse even than this, and far more humiliating to her pride, was the discovery of her parentage, the knowing that a convict was her father, a common servant her mother, and that no marriage tie had hallowed her birth.
"Oh, I can't bear it!" she cried.

"I can't.

I wish I might die! Will nobody kill me?
Hugh, you will, I know!" But Hugh was away for the family physician, for he would not trust a gossiping servant to do the errand.

Once before that doctor had stood by 'Lina's bedside, and felt her feverish pulse, but his face then was not as anxious as now.

He did not speak of danger, but Hugh, who watched him narrowly, read it in his face, and following him down the stairs, asked to be told the truth.
"She is going to be very sick.