He started up and went back to the parlor. He began to feel ashamed of his violence toward his wife, and was anxious to dispose of the matter as soon as possible.
To return to Arabella.
As soon as her husband had left her, she proceeded to read the note he placed in her hands. That accomplished, she took the precaution to ring the bell several times with great energy; and, having disposed of the little articles which lay scattered on the floor, she threw herself on the sofa, in violent hysterics.
When Hiram entered, these were at once renewed. Her husband understood this phase of her constitution; and, directing the maid servants to remove their mistress to her own room, he ordered dinner to be served.
I will do him the justice to say he ate little or nothing.
Two or three times the waiter observed that his master put his hand to his head and then to his heart, as if endeavoring to tranquillize himself.
After dinner, he mounted his horse, and rode several miles. When he returned, one would not have known, to look at him, that anything unusual had happened.
During the nest week Hiram was occupied in making his will. A new and important idea seemed to have possession of him.