“Spared to my lady, sir, God bless her!� the old servant said. “Your hand shakes sadly; let me pour the brandy out.�
Sir Vivian laughed, or made a grimace of laughter, showing his teeth and stretching his pale lips.
“Lord, sir! don’t look like that!� Cradell begged. “Think if her ladyship were to see you! She——�
“If her ladyship were to see me!� repeated Sir Vivian. He drank off a glass of brandy and laughed again. “Cradell—are you mad, or am I?�
“Neither of us, sir, I hope!� said Cradell. Then a light broke upon him, and he cried, “Good gracious, Sir Vivian, is it possible that you don’t know ... my lady is here?�
“I know it.� An awful agony was expressed in Sir Vivian’s face. “I know it too well!� Great drops stood upon his forehead; he turned aside, clenching his hand, and fighting for self-command.
“She came half an hour ago,� began the butler. “Me and Mrs. Ansdey were quite took aback. Mrs. Ansdey is upstairs with her ladyship now....�
“Man—man!� cried Sir Vivian, “do you know what you are saying?�
He turned his streaming face upon the frightened butler and gripped him by the arm, fiercely.
“Lady Wroth—my wife, she is dead! There was an accident—she was killed instantaneously, with little pain, thank God! They said so at the Greystoke Hospital.... She is outside—there!� He pointed a shaking hand toward the partly open hall-door, through which a pale line of moonlight came stealing as the careful, measured tread of men carrying a precious burden sounded on the stone. “Yet you say to me—she arrived half an hour ago! You are raving—or I am delirious!�