stable."

"What for--what for?" said Gurdon, loudly. "You don't think, do you,
that I've got the cross?"

"Silence, sir! Take him away!" exclaimed Sir Murray, sternly. Then,
turning to Captain Norton, he said in a whisper, "There are two things
in this world, Philip Norton, that I value: my honour and those old
family jewels."

"I am attending to your words," said Norton, coldly; for he had just met
an imploring look from Marion.

"I told you, Lady Gernon, to go to your guests!" said Sir Murray, in an
angry whisper.

"No, Murray," she said. "I shall stay!"

"In Heaven's name, then, stay!" he said, angrily, "and hear what I would
say. I value my honour and those family jewels, Captain Norton," he
continued, facing his guest; "and the man who filches from me one or the
other does so at the risk of his life!"

"What!" exclaimed Lady Gernon, with a horrified aspect, "do you for a
moment suppose, Murray, that Captain Norton--"

"Where is that sapphire cross?" exclaimed Sir Murray.

"Indeed--indeed--"

"Silence, madam! I will have no scene!" hissed Sir Murray, angrily.
"You, as my wife, hold those jewels in trust for me; and I should hold
him who took them, even as a gift, as a robber of what is mine."

"Sir Murray Gernon, you are mad!" exclaimed Norton--"you know not what
you say, and--Hush! sir, no words. Lady Gernon has fainted!"

Book 1, Chapter XVI.

AN ENCOUNTER.

Sir Murray Gernon had expressed a desire that there should be no scene,
but his wish was of no avail, for in a few moments an excited group had
collected round his wife. Salts, vinegar, and cold water were sought
and applied; but, fortunately, one of the guests was the medical adviser
of the family.

"Bed, Sir Murray--empty house--quiet--and," he said, meaningly, "all
going well, I may be able to offer you congratulations before morning."

Half an hour after, the house was vacated by the last guest, and before
morning had dawned the tidings were borne to Sir Murray Gernon that his
lady had given birth to a daughter, but that from her ladyship's
critical state Dr Challen wished for further advice, and for a
fellow-practitioner to share the burden of his responsibility.

Messages were sent; and in the course of a few hours there was a
consultation held respecting Lady Gernon's state--a consultation over
which the medical practitioners shook their heads solemnly. The child
was healthy; but its mother still existed, that was all.