"It is much better that he is gone," she continued. "Yet—last night I went on the deck of the packet and it was all so dark and cold, not a star, and the waves sounding, but not to be seen, and I remembered how little he was once, and how warm in my arms, and then methought he was somewhere crying for me in the chill blackness ... abroad—in a poor lodging with no friend."
She wrung her hands together with irrepressible horror.
"My God!" she cried, "there's a way to die!"
Mary caught her arm.
"You must not think of it like that; there is another side to it—God is very merciful, I know nothing—but in heaven there is great pity for all of us."
The Countess turned and stared at her a moment, with her handkerchief to her lips, then said unsteadily—
"I never meant to speak like this—but Your Highness is so gentle——"
Mary smiled.
"I must carry you to my Lady Argyll, Lady Balcarres that was, who is here with her daughters——"
She turned swiftly, for the door opened, and a familiar voice behind her said eagerly her name—"Marie, Marie——"