that it was not worth while, for she should be
called for in a very short time. And she remained conscious of a great
dread of being roused, so that when she heard her cousin moving about
the room, she insisted that they had scarcely lain down, whereupon
Nuttie laughed, declared that she had heard a great clock strike twelve
before she moved, and showed daylight coming in through the shutters.

'We can't lie here any longer, I suppose,' said May, sitting up
wearily; 'and yet what can we put on? It makes one shiver to think of
going down to luncheon in a ball dress!'

'Besides, mine is all torn to pieces to make bandages,' said Nuttie. 'I
must put on the underskirt and my cloak again.'

'Or Annaple might lend us something. I must get out somehow to know
how poor Lady Delmar is, and what has become of everybody. Ring,
Ursula, please, and lie down till somebody comes.'

The bell was answered by a maid, who told them that my lady had been
brought home by Mr. and Mrs. Egremont about an hour after their
arrival. She was as well as could be expected, and there was no cause
for anxiety. Mr. and Mrs. Egremont had then gone on to Bridgefield,
leaving word that Mrs. William Egremont and Miss Blanche were sleeping
at Redcastle, having sent home for their own dresses and the young
ladies', and would call for the rest of their party on the way.
Indeed, a box for the Miss Egremonts had been deposited by the Canon
from the pony-carriage an hour ago, and was already in the
dressing-room; but Miss Ruthven would not have them disturbed. Miss
Ruthven,--oh yes, she was up, she had not been in bed at all.

CHAPTER XV.

A CASTLE OF UMBRELLAS.

No, Annaple Ruthven could not have slept, even if she had had time. Her
first care had been to receive her sister, who had been met at the
entrance of Redcastle by her husband. There had been profuse offers of
hospitality to Mr. and Mrs. Egremont, the latter of whom looked tired
out, and offers of sending messengers to Bridgefield; but Mr. Egremont
would not hear of them, and every one suspected that he would not incur
the chance of rising without Gregorio and all his appliances.

By the time they were disposed of, and Lady Delmar safe in bed, it was
time to repair to her mother's room, so as to prevent her from being
alarmed. Lady Ronnisglen was English born. She was not by any means
the typical dowager. Her invalid condition was chiefly owing to an
accident, which had rende