The main door led to an outer hall, and it was there that my nerves failed me. I felt myself begin to shake as soon as I stepped in, and the perspiration started from my forehead. Oh, dear God I can"t do this.
Oh, dear God I can"t do this"Dorothea?" I heard Emily"s voice as if from a long distance. "Dorothea? Are you all right?"
Somebody wrapped a strong arm around me as I fell. "Give her air!" That was Captain Rogers" voice, barking orders. "Move aside, there!"
I can"t recall much about the next few moments except a confusion of faces and a blur of movement. I know I was perched on a heavy wooden chair in the inner hall under an old portrait of a stern-faced matriarch, with Captain Rogers on his knees at my side and Emily fanning me and making anxious enquiries.
"I"m sorry to make suc
