It is surely a blessed delusion which persuades us that we are the highest product of the great scheme of creation, and sets us doubting whether other planets are inhabited, because other planets are not surrounded by an atmosphere which _we_ can breathe! After trying such simple remedies as were within her reach, and trying them without success, Blanche became seriously alarmed.

Anne lay, to all outward appearance, dead in her arms.

She was on the point of calling for help--come what might of the discovery which would ensue--when the door from the hall opened once more, and Hester Dethridge entered the room.
The cook had accepted the alternative which her mistress's message had placed before her, if she insisted on having her own time at her own sole disposal for the rest of that day.

Exactly as Lady Lundie had desired, she intimated her resolution to carry her point by placing her account-book on the desk in the library.

It was only when this had been done that Blanche received any answer to her entreaties for help.