Thus playfully they chatted for a while, but Isoult fancied that Lady Lisle was scarcely so angrily earnest in her opposition to the doctrines of the Gospel as was generally her wont. Presently up came the untidy Deb, in all her untidiness, to say that dinner was served; and was parenthetically told by Philippa that she was a shame to the family.
“Which of us would you with you, Mother?” asked Frances.
“Why, none of you,” she replied. “Go down all, children; I lack nought; I am going to sleep.”
And she laid back her head on the pillow of her chair.
“Shall I not abide, Madam?” suggested Lady Ashley.
“No, child,” she answered. “When you come above ye shall find me asleep, if all go well.”
So, seeing she preferred to be left alone, they all went to dinner. When they returned, Lady Frances, Lady Ashley, and Isoult, went towards Lady Lisle’s chamber. Lady Ashley opened the door softly, and put her head in.
“Doth she sleep, Kate?” whispered Frances.
“Softly!” said Lady Ashley, withdrawing her head. “Let us not disturb her—she is so sweetly sleeping.”
Sleeping! ay, a sleep that should have no waking, From that sleep not the roaring of the winds, not the thunder of the tempest, not even the anguished voices of her children, should ever arouse her again.