“Oh, Mon Dieu!” said the frightened man, crossing himself. “Very well, since you will have it so, and I will even go as near to the land as I dare, though I am risking the lives of the crew.”
With a sense of relief he gave the order, hoping that he might save his life and his vessel, by casting this blasphemer.
And so Hugh, seventh Lord Reckavile went to his death, driven by the Curse, and his body bruised and broken but still recognisable, was washed ashore by the old Black Horse at Portham, and brought by the Southgates on a shutter to the castle, while the storm shouted a requiem, and the fiends seemed to be laughing at their last effort at humour.
Winnie was summoned, for the news must be broken, but it was dangerous in her condition, as her time had almost come.
The butler in faltering accents, told her the sad tidings.
She listened stony-eyed, and without tears. The news stunned her. Much also as she thought she loved him, his base desertion had cut her to the quick, and his refusal to answer any letters hurt her pride. She came and viewed the poor relic, now decently laid out, and saw the quiet beauty of the face, at rest at last, and peaceful. Then the tears came, and she sobbed bitterly till the nurse gently led her from the room, reminding her that another life might depend on her courage and restraint.
More to take her mind off the horror than for any other reason the nurse placed into her hands the sea-soaked contents of his pocket, and Winnie idly examined them, her mind far removed from the articles, and seeing only his flushed handsome face, as she had last seen him alive.
A parcel, damp with sea water, and sticky to the touch seized her attention, and she opened the sheets of paper. The first words were sufficient to rivet her mind on the writing.
Be it known to all that I Hugh Desmond, seventh Baron Reckavile, being of sound mind, wish, as far as lies in my power to make restitution for a great wrong which has been committed.
As she read on, fear clutched her. The document told of his marriage, and the birth of his heir, and of his bigamy with Winnie. Enclosed was the marriage certificate at the little village of Steeping among the Sussex Downs.