“It seemed entirely natural to say what I did,” the bishop declared.
Lady Ella looked up at Bliss.
“A doctor has been sent for,” said the canon to Lady Ella.
“I must speak to the doctor,” said Lady Ella as if her husband could not hear her. “There is something that will make things clearer to the doctor. I must speak to the doctor for a moment before he sees him.”
Came a gust of pretty sounds and a flash of bright colour that shamed the rich vestments at hand. Over the shoulder of the rector and quite at the back, appeared Lady Sunderbund resolutely invading the vestry. The rector intercepted her, stood broad with extended arms.
“I must come in and speak to him. If it is only fo' a moment.”
The bishop looked up and saw Lady Ella's expression. Lady Ella was sitting up very stiffly, listening but not looking round.
A vague horror and a passionate desire to prevent the entry of Lady Sunderbund at any cost, seized upon the bishop. She would, he felt, be the last overwhelming complication. He descended to a base subterfuge. He lay back in his chair slowly as though he unfolded himself, he covered his eyes with his hand and then groaned aloud.
“Leave me alone!” he cried in a voice of agony. “Leave me alone! I can see no one.... I can—no more.”
There was a momentous silence, and then the tumult of Lady Sunderbund receded.