She feared that he would faint. She wanted enormously to get him away, but did not know how to manage it.
“They say it was heart disease,” answered the landlady. “Poor thing! It’s a happy release for her.”
“Won’t you get us some tea, Mrs Smithers? We’re very tired, and we should like something immediately.”
“Yes, miss. I’ll get it at once.”
The good woman bustled away. Susie quickly locked the door. She seized Arthur’s arm.
“Arthur, Arthur.”
She expected him to break down. She looked with agony at Dr Porhoët, who stood helplessly by.
“You couldn’t have done anything if you’d been here. You heard what the woman said. If Margaret died of heart disease, your suspicions were quite without ground.”
He shook her away, almost violently.
“For God’s sake, speak to us,” cried Susie.