“It is not true, is it?”
“No, Miss,” answered Marrables promptly; his acquaintance with illness was slight, but he had always heard sick people ought to be humoured.
“Ah! I forgot,” said Miss Moffat wearily. “Pour me out some wine and water, Marrables, I will take it now; and Taylor,” turning to Mrs. Hartley’s maid, “I wish you would pack up some dresses and linen for me; I must go to Ireland to-night.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“And directly Mrs. Hartley returns let me know.”
“Mrs. Hartley is here now,” exclaimed Marrables, and went out to meet his mistress, followed reluctantly by his fellow-servants.
Into the room came Mrs. Hartley dressed in all her bravery, with a face expressive of the utmost anxiety.
“What is all this, Grace, that Marrables has been frightening me with? Why, child, what has happened? You look as if you had seen a ghost.”
For answer, Grace picked up the ‘Times’ and handed it to her friend, pointing out the paragraph she wished her to read. Marrables saw her do it, and it was not long before he had read the passage also.
“What are you thinking of doing?” asked Mrs. Hartley, drawing her out into the open air, and holding a parasol over her.