“What is he to you, that you should do that?” she asked in a tone trembling with passion.
Mamie’s eyes flashed angrily as she shook herself free and raised her head.
“I love him,” she said proudly. “What are you to him that you should come between us?”
George opened his eyes slowly.
“Constance!” He could hardly articulate the name, and a violent fit of coughing succeeded the effort.
The two girls looked into each other’s eyes. Both had heard the syllables, and both knew what they meant. In Constance’s face there was pride, triumph, supreme happiness. In Mamie’s closely-set lips and flashing eyes there was implacable hatred. She rose to her feet and drew back, slowly, while Constance remained kneeling on the ground. One moment more she remained where she was, gazing at her retreating rival. Then, with one more glance at George’s reviving eyes, she sprang up and went to her sister’s side.
Grace’s grief was uncontrollable and terrible to see. During the night that followed it was impossible to make her leave her husband’s body. She was far too strong to break down or to go mad, and she suffered everything that a human being can suffer without a moment’s respite.
Constance never left her, though she could do nothing to soothe her fearful sorrow. Words were of no use, for Grace could not hear them. There was nothing to be done, but to wait and pray that she might become exhausted by the protracted agony.
It was late in the evening when the four gentlemen who had saved George’s life brought him home with Mamie and her mother. There had been much to be thought of before he could think of returning. They had carried him to Constance’s house at first, for he had been unable to walk, and they had given him some of the dead man’s clothes in place of his own dripping garments, had chafed him and warmed him and poured stimulants down his throat. The doctor in the party had strongly urged him to spend the night where he was. But nothing could induce him to do that. As soon as he was strong enough to walk he insisted on recrossing the river.
Even Totty was terribly shocked and depressed by what had happened. She was not without heart and the tears came into her eyes when she thought of Grace’s cruel bereavement.