Oh, do something! Help!"

"Hush! You are hindering me," said Chester, sternly--himself once more.
"The brandy! You--you--madam, use your fan rapidly. Is there no air
to be got into this wretched prison? That's right. Raise his head a
little more. That's better. Be calm, both of you. Everything depends
upon that."

"But he is dying--he is dying!" wailed Marion.

"Be silent, madam, and obey my orders," whispered Chester, angrily, and
the desperate fight went on. Desperate indeed it seemed to the doctor,
and he fought as he had never fought before. But for some time every
breath the poor fellow drew, feebly and painfully, seemed to her who
watched him, with staring eyes, his very last.

They were alone with him for quite an hour, before the old housekeeper
came in, to grasp at once what was wrong, and hurry to the couch.

"Oh, my child, why did you not ring for me?" she cried.

"Hush! Silence!" said the doctor, sternly. "The paroxysm has exhausted
itself. With perfect quiet he may yet live."

His hand was caught by Marion and passionately kissed, before she sank,
half-fainting, in the old housekeeper's arms.

Paddy went in and out on tip-toe, his action suggesting always that he
was doing something in silence for a wager; and twice over his brother
came in as the hours slipped past, but only to be sternly ordered to go
by the doctor, who was then alone with Marion and the wounded man.

"But hang it all, sir!" he protested, "am I not to do what I like in my
own house?"

"No, not while I am in charge of my patient."

"But--"

"Look here, sir, I will not be answerable for his life if you stay,"
whispered Chester, sharply.

The intruder bit his lips and glanced at Marion, then at the doctor and
back. There was a world of meaning in his eyes, but Chester was too
dreamy then to interpret it, and the man went away, but only for the far
door to be re-opened and Paddy to make his appearance.

Marion uttered a sign of annoyance, and hurried to meet him.

"You must not stay, Paddy," she whispered. "It is so important that
Robert should be kept quiet."

"All right," he said. "I didn't want to come, but Jem sent me. He
doesn't like your being alone with the doctor."

An angry frown darkened Marion's face.

"Go," she said firmly. "Paddy, I think he will live now."

"Thank God!" cried the young fellow, fervently. "But, I say, if I go
I'm pretty sure that Jem will come himself. He as good as sai