Malcolm appeared unpleasantly disconcerted; presently he said—
“Dead!”
Lotte started back astounded, and echoed the word in such an incredulous tone that Mr. Malcolm added—
“That is, to us. Excuse me, but you are touching on a tender point—a family matter.”
But Malcolm and Lotte started as he concluded; for, at this instant, a sharp cry of acute pain rang in their ears; it was followed by a low wailing sob, and then all was silent again. Lotte pressed her hand upon her heart, for that burst of agony from the inner room made it ache. She knew whence the sound proceeded, and from whom.
Malcolm was sufficiently well-bred not to make any remark respecting the sound he had heard, but he thought it strange, and wondered much what it meant. Lotte recalled his straying thoughts by asking if his sister Evangeline spoke thus of her sister Helen?
“No,” he returned; “but she is nobody. She is so unlike all the family. Mamma told her that she must consider Helen as dead, and that is why she frets and whines about the place so much. However, the topic is disagreeable; pray let us say no more about it.”
“I have ended, sir,” returned Lotte, quietly, but dreading what was to come.
“No more questions to ask?” he cried.
She shook her head.