And he kissed her good-night, bowed to the other members of the circle, took up his taper and retired.
The next morning he went away indeed, but not to Beresford Manors.
For when Electra went into his room, as was her custom, to kiss him good-morning before he should get up, she found nothing but his body, still warm, and with the face still wearing the happy smile with which his spirit had impressed it in taking his heavenward flight.
Her screams desecrated the holy room of death and brought all the household to her presence.
When they discovered the cause of the girl's wild grief, Mrs. Fanning and Laura Lytton together forced her from the room and took her to her own chamber, where they set themselves to soothe her.
Joseph Brent, himself overcome with grief at the sudden loss of one who had proved himself so warm a friend, set out on horseback to Wendover to fetch the family physician and the minister.
They were useless to the departed, of course, but they might be of some service to the bereaved ones left behind.
So Mr. Lyle and Dr. Willet returned with Mr. Brent, and remained at Blue Cliff Hall until after all was over.
And thus it happened that within one fortnight there were two funerals at Blue Cliffs.
On the day after that upon which the remains of Beresford Jones were laid in the family vault his will was opened and read to his relatives.