"If your father lives, it should not be a difficult matter--" She checked suddenly and turned, while Rotherby, too, looked up and stepped quickly from the window-embrasure where he had stood.
The door of the bedroom had been suddenly pulled open, and Sir James came out, very pale and discomposed.
"Madam--your ladyship--my lord!" he gasped, his mouth working, his hands waving foolishly.
The countess rose to confront him, tall, severe and harsh.

The viscount scowled a question.

Sir James quailed before them, evidently in affliction.
"Madam--his lordship," he said, and by his eloquent gesture of dejection announced what he had some difficulty in putting into words.
She stepped forward, and took him by the wrist.

"Is he dying ?" she inquired.
"Have courage, madam," the doctor besought her.
The apparent irrelevancy of the request at such a moment, angered her.

Her mood was dangerously testy.