In a few moments afterwards the rector made his appearance, and inquired the cause of the screams which had alarmed him.
"Mrs. Kenrick is dead, sir," said the groom.
Katherine had flung herself into a chair, and was giving full vent to her grief for the loss of her benefactress.
"Dead!" cried the rector. "No—let us hope not. Run for the nearest surgeon—it may only be a fit!"
"I'm afraid it's too late, sir," said the groom, who had now raised the housekeeper from her procumbent posture, and laid her back in the chair.
"Who knows? Run—run," exclaimed the rector impatiently.
The groom instantly departed; and during his short absence the rector was most assiduous in bathing the housekeeper's forehead with vinegar and water, and chafing her hands between his own.
In a few minutes the groom returned, accompanied by a surgeon; and the rector was found in the midst of his vain attentions.
The surgeon's examination was brief; but his words were decisive, as he said, "All human aid is vain, sir; and those appearances are most suspicious."
