The information was received, like most sedatives, without comment.
Latest intelligence. Colliery explosion at Snarley.
"Di, has not John coal-pits at Snarley?" asked Mrs. Courtenay, becoming suddenly wide awake.
"Yes," said Di.
"Explosion of fire-damp," continued Mr. Garstone, slower than ever. "No particulars known. Great loss of life apprehended. Mr. Tempest of Overleigh, to whom the mine belonged, instantly left Godalmington Court, where he was the guest of Lord Carradock, and proceeded at once to the spot, where he organized a rescue party led by himself. Mr. Tempest was the first to descend the shaft. The gravest anxiety was felt respecting the fate of the rescuing party. Vast crowds assembled at the pit's mouth. No further news obtainable up to date of going to press."
Mrs. Courtenay looked at Di.
"He must be mad to have gone down himself," she said agitatedly. "What could he possibly do there?"
"His duty," said Di; and she got up and left the room. How could any one exist in that hot close atmosphere? She was suffocating.
The hall was cold enough. She shivered as she crossed it, and went up the white shallow stairs to her own room, where a newly lit fire was spluttering. She knelt down before it and pushed a burning stick further between the bars, blackening her fingers. It would catch the paper at the side now.—John had gone down the shaft.—Yes, it would catch. The paper stretched itself and flared up. She went and stood by the window.
"John has gone down," she said, half aloud. Her heart was quite numb. Only her body seemed to care. Her limbs trembled, and she sat down on the narrow window seat, her hands clutching the dragon hasp of the window, her eyes looking absently out.