They reached the Hall late on a Thursday evening, Mr Lascelles suggesting when they came to the lodge that Mrs Jane should sit and rest for a few minutes, while he rode up to the house to hear the latest news of Mr Lane’s health.
The woman who kept the lodge came out courtesying to meet them, and Jenny wondered why they did not ask her how the old gentleman was.
Mr Lascelles, however, had ridden hastily forward, and he soon returned with cheering news. Mr Lane had “got well over this brunt,” he said; and Mrs Jane professed herself much cheered and comforted to hear it.
In the hall, as they entered, was Millicent.
“Well, Millicent, I’m not murdered, you see!” cried Mrs Jane cheerily.
“Indeed, Mrs Jane, I’m glad to see it, in especial considering all the warnings we’ve had. Three times of a night hath old Cupid bayed the moon; and a magpie lighted on the tree beside my window only this morning; and last night I heard the death-watch, as plain as plain could be!”
“Oh, then, that’s for you, not me,” responded Mrs Jane quite cheerfully; “so look Jackson doth not murder you on his return, as he has left me unharmed.”
Millicent looked horrified.
“Oh me! Mrs Jane, is the fellow coming back?”
Mrs Jane only laughed, and said, “Look out!”