Harvey did the same; nothing was wrong there. Williams pointed to marks
on one of the wheels; the cart had evidently grazed against a wall. Alma
must have lost control of the horse, and have been carried a
considerable distance before, somehow, it was stopped. Without doubt,
she had had a very narrow escape. Her anger seemed to be the result of
nerves upset and mortified vanity; she wished to show Mrs. Abbott that
she could drive -- the explanation of the whole matter. Harvey was vexed
at such a piece of childishness; irritated, too, by the outbreak of
temper with which Alma had replied to his very natural alarm. Of course,
he would say nothing more; it would be interesting to await the outcome
of his wife's mature reflection on her folly.

As he stepped into the house, something like a cry for help sounded from
above stairs. He shouted, 'What's that?' and in the same moment Mary
Abbott called to him that Mrs. Rolfe had fainted. On rushing up, he found
Mary with difficulty supporting Alma's unconscious form.

'I saw she could hardly get upstairs,' said Mrs. Abbott. 'Just here on
the landing she gave a moan and fell back. I was luckily close by her.'

They carried her into her room, and gave what help they could whilst the
doctor was being summoned. In a few minutes Alma regained consciousness,
and declared herself quite well again; but when she tried to rise,
strength failed her; she began to moan in physical distress. Harvey went
downstairs, whilst Mrs. Abbott and Ruth tended the sufferer.

Their ordinary medical man was far away among the hills; his assistant
had to be searched for, and came only after the lapse of two hours, by
which time Rolfe had worked himself into a fever. Whilst Mrs. Abbott,
faint with agitation and weariness, took a hurried meal, he went to the