She could not bear to stop in the room to see that nerveless thing being moved, and went out to the passage, where her maid met her. The atmosphere of terror had spread through the whole house, and servants were running up.
"Oh! my lady, what is the matter—is he dead?" asked that somewhat hysterical young woman, clasping her hands.
Eva turned fiercely on her.
"Nothing is the matter. What do you mean by saying that? Run downstairs and get some brandy. Quick! do you hear?"
The two men passed out close to Eva with their grim burden. She shuddered as they moved slowly along to the bedroom door. Then, after a moment she followed them. They had laid him on the bed, but, even in that attitude, the limpness was not that of a living man.
"Leave me, wait till the doctor comes, and bring him up," said she.
When she was alone, she lit the candles and brought them near his face. She took up one of the open hands, and felt for the pulse, but found it not. Then, looking up suddenly, she saw her own face in the glass, set in a half circle of light from the diamonds on her neck. For a long moment she gazed, and then, setting the candles down, she unclasped the necklace, and dashed it on to the ground.