oot, and fell
asleep, as I have said.

"The moment her bell rang I was up and at the bedside, ready to make
myself useful.

"I asked what was the matter with her. She complained of faintness and
depression, and said she felt sick. I inquired if she had taken anything
in the way of physic or food while I had been asleep. She answered that
her husband had come in about an hour since, and, finding her still
sleepless, had himself administered the composing draught. Mr. Macallan
(sleeping in the next room) joined us while she was speaking. He too had
been aroused by the bell. He heard what Mrs. Macallan said to me about
the composing draught, and made no remark upon it. It seemed to me that
he was alarmed at his wife's faintness. I suggested that she should take
a little wine, or brandy and water. She answered that she could swallow
nothing so strong as wine or brandy, having a burning pain in her
stomach already. I put my hand on her stomach--quite lightly. She
screamed when I touched her.

"This symptom alarmed us. We went to the village for the medical man who
had attended Mrs. Macallan during her illness: one Mr. Gale.

"The doctor seemed no better able to account for the change for the
worse in his patient than we were. Hearing her complain of thirst, he
gave her some milk. Not long after taking it she was sick. The sickness
appeared to relieve her. She soon grew drowsy and slumbered. Mr. Gale
left us, with strict injunctions to send for him instantly if she was
taken ill again.

"Nothing of the sort happened; no change took place for the next three
hours or more. She roused up toward half-past nine and inquired about
her husband. I informed her that he had returned to his own room, and
asked if I should send for him. She said 'No.' I asked next if she would
like anything to eat or drink. She said 'No' again, in rather a vacant,
stupefied way, and then told me to go downstairs and get my breakfast.
On my way down I met the housekeeper. She invited me to breakfast with
her in her room, instead of in the servants' hall as usual. I remained
with the housekeeper but a short time--certainly not more than half an
hour.

"Coming upstairs again, I met the under-housemaid sweeping on one of the
landings.

"The girl informed me that Mrs. Macallan had taken a cup of tea during
my absence in the housekeeper's room. Mr. Macallan's valet had ordered
the tea for his mistress by his master's directions. The under-housemaid
m