If that half-lunatic old man, described by Lady Maulevrier as a kinsman of Steadman's, were verily the person Lord Hartfield believed, his presence under that roof, unguarded by a trust-worthy attendant, was fraught with danger. It would be for Lady Maulevrier, helpless, a prisoner to her sofa, at death's door, to face that danger. The very thought of it might kill her. And yet it was imperative that the truth should be told her without delay.
The two young men went to her ladyship's sitting room. She was alone, a volume of her favourite Schopenhauer open before her, under the light of the shaded reading-lamp. Sorry comfort in the hour of trouble!
Maulevrier went over to her and kissed her; and then dropped silently into a chair near at hand, his face in shadow. Hartfield seated himself nearer the sofa, and nearer the lamp.
'Dear Lady Maulevrier, I have come to tell you some very bad news—'
'Lesbia?' exclaimed her ladyship, with a frightened look.
'No, there is nothing wrong with Lesbia. It is about your old servant Steadman.'
'Dead?' faltered Lady Maulevrier, ashy pale, as she looked at him in the lamplight.
He bent his head affirmatively.
'Yes. He was seized with apoplexy—fell from his chair to the hearth, and never spoke or stirred again.'
Lady Maulevrier uttered no word of sorrow or surprise. She lay, looking straight before her into vacancy, the pale attenuated features rigid as if they had been marble. What was to be done—what must be told—whom could she trust? Those were the questions repeating themselves in her mind as she stared into space. And no answer came to them.