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of him half hidden behind the massive rosewood desk that sat in the center of the room. “Father!” she cried and rushed over. Falling on her knees, she saw that his face was as pale as paste. His eyes were open, and he appeared to be trying to speak.
    â€œWhat is it, Father? What happened?”
    â€œHelp me . . . !”
    The words were faint, and Sabrina noticed that the left side of his mouth did not move—only the right. Fear touched her heart, and she cried, “Randell, help me get him into the chair.”
    The two of them managed to drag him to the overstuffed chair. She noticed that his right side seemed to work, but he had little control over his left side. She took his hand and began to chafe it. “What is it, Father? Did you fall?”
    â€œDon’t—know.” The words came with great difficulty, and she saw the fear in his eyes.
    â€œWhat happened? Can you tell me?”
    â€œIt’s—can’t seem to move my left arm. It’s like it’s gone to sleep.”
    Again Sabrina noticed that the left side of his mouth did not move.
    â€œCan’t talk!” he gasped.
    â€œRandell, go for the doctor at once! Bring him no matter what he says.”
    â€œYes, miss!”
    Randell dashed out of the room, and Sabrina turned back to her father, holding his hand tightly. “It’ll be all right. The doctor will be here soon. Are you in pain?”
    â€œNot so much now.” The words were faltering, almost inaudible. “I don’t know . . . what’s wrong with me. . . .”
    Sabrina pulled up a chair and sat beside her father for some time. He was badly frightened, which brought fear to her own heart. She did not know what to do for him, for she had no experience with sickness. She knew, however, that something terrible had happened.
    Finally Fairfax raised his head, and his mouth twitched with an effort to speak. “The Sabrina —she went down off the coast of Africa . . . with all hands.”
    â€œOh no, Father!”
    â€œWe’re ruined, Sabrina . . . we’re ruined!”
    The ship named after her was sinking half a world away, and she now understood, to some degree, the financial blow this meant to the Fairfax family. She saw the terror in her father’s eyes and could only give part of her mind to that. Her father had spoiled her all of her life and had given her plenty of love, but now she felt a dire fear as she sat there holding his hand. He seemed to be looking to her for assurance—but Sabrina knew she had none to give.
    ****
    â€œIt’s not good news, Miss Fairfax. I’m sorry I can’t give you a better report.” Dr. Blackman had spent over an hour with Sir Roger and now had come out, with Sabrina waiting for him in the parlor. He had been the Fairfax family physician for ten years and had been there for them when Sabrina’s mother died, so Sabrina trusted him implicitly. “It looks like he had a stroke. You probably noticed that his left side isn’t functioning, which is typical of a stroke.”
    â€œYes, even the left side of his mouth wasn’t moving.”
    â€œThese things happen very suddenly,” Dr. Blackman said. “A man can look well, be as strong as a horse and never have an ill day of his life, then suddenly drop dead at the age of thirty.”
    Dr. Blackman’s words put a chill on Sabrina, and she looked to him for assurance. “But you can do something, can’t you? Surely there’s medicine that will help?”
    Dr. Blackman hesitated. Then, taking a deep breath, he said slowly, “We can always hope. I’ve had stroke patients who have lived for years.”
    Despite the doctor’s encouraging words, Sabrina knew his eyes were sending a different message. “But—there’s nothing you can do for him, then?”
    Blackman shrugged. “See that he gets plenty of rest. Keep