"She is very ill sir, and it is said she will die."
"Die!" echoed Stephen in surprise.
"She was not bad enough for that when I saw her last. What do you think Herrick?"
"She looked very sick certainly, but so far as I can judge was in no immediate danger of death. Who says this Parry?"
The groom sunk his voice to a whisper, and seemed nervous, "Master Sidney," he said.
Both men looked round at this. Then at each other. Herrick was the first to break the silence. "When did Master Sidney say that Parry?"
"Yesterday sir. Mr. Napper, he met him in Beorminster in the Cathedral Square about four o'clock. He asked him joking-like where he was going. Master Sidney said, just as quiet as he does speak sir, that he was going to see the Italian woman die. Napper was that taken aback you could have knocked him down with a feather sir. Then Master Sidney said she would die in two days, which I take to mean sir, that she'll go off to-morrow. And I'm sure she will sir," added Parry with conviction.
"Is this story known Parry?" asked his master rather vexed.
"No sir. Napper went at once to see Miss Endicotte when he came back to Saxham. She asked him to say nothing about it, but he had already told Phelps the gardener sir. Then Phelps told us all sir, but we have said nothing outside about it."
"See you don't then," said Stephen sharply, "the first of my servants who says a word will be discharged, mind that Parry."