‘W – what? What are you saying? I am not mad; just very, very upset, and with good reason. My—’

‘We’re going to get you better, my love. You’ll soon be home with me and your father, I promise.’

‘No. No!’ Mags’s screams hurt her own ears. She couldn’t believe what was happening. ‘I’m not ill, I’m just distressed at my husband’s vile act of disloyalty. I—’

‘This is what she has been saying ever since she had a nightmare three nights ago. She woke up screaming and hitting me. Look, I still have the bruises.’

‘Speak to my father, please. Please . . . he will tell you. Speak to the servants – to Betsy, and to Cook – they know.’

‘Darling, my love, your daddy isn’t well. Have you forgotten? He is unconscious and has been for days. He isn’t expected to wake up ever again. Now that you know this, my darling, I’m so sorry. You were told and then you had that nightmare. You said everyone was leaving you.’ To the doctor, Harold said, ‘She lost her mother just before Christmas, poor love. Do you think it is those traumas that are causing this?’

‘They could very well. But why is she fixated on you being unfaithful? That seems a strange turn for this kind of psychotic episode to take. Usually it would be that you are going to die, too.’

‘Oh, that’s my father’s fault. He was a philanderer, and my darling wife has always held this fear that I might turn out like him. Nothing could be further from the truth. Her accusations cut me in two. I love her so much. Please – please get her better, Doctor.’ This last came out on a sob.

‘We will, old chap. These episodes rarely last long and, with care, hardly ever return. I have spoken to her own doctor and he said she nearly had a breakdown when her mother died, and that he thinks she is suffering from leftover trauma from her brave actions during the war. He is shocked that Mrs Roford is this ill, and to hear how ill her father is, and cannot understand why you didn’t call him.’

‘I didn’t call him because I panicked, and then one of the guests mentioned an eminent heart specialist, who he thought would be the best person to attend Mr Witherbrook. As it happened, I knew the fellow from my university days, and so I thought that best, and then he recommended that you tend to my wife. I have been at my wits’ end since, with what has been happening to my darling wife, that I haven’t had time to think about calling Dr Lange to put him in the picture. And yes, Mags was so brave during the war, but what she saw and went through often visits her and sends her into a strange world, where she doesn’t want to talk for days. I have tried to be understanding, but maybe I should have got help for her.’