“Mr. Clavering,” said the well known voice of Henry Clavering. “Call up Mrs. Heritage, I must see her. It is a case of life and death.”
“Certainly, certainly,” said Sylvanus, quickly shutting the window. In a very little time he had the gates open, and told the coachman to drive in.
“The family have been in bed two hours,” said Sylvanus: “but they will soon hear,” stoutly pulling a bell at the door which communicated with the upper storey of the house.
“I am afraid we shall greatly alarm them,” said Henry Clavering, in a mournful tone.
“No,” said Sylvanus, “no; such calls are not unfrequent here. My mistress will understand it.”
Very quickly there was a casement open, and a voice asked what was wanted.
“Henry Clavering desires to see our mistress,” said Sylvanus.
“I will open the door,” said the voice, and in a very little time, the great front door was thrown open, and a servant appeared with a light. It was the tall prim form of Sukey Priddo, the housekeeper.
“Oh! do come in, Mr. Clavering!” she said, as she stood guarding the lamp from the furious wind that swept in the wild surges of the snow. “What a night for any mortal to be out in.”
“And yet I must ask Mrs. Heritage to venture into it,” said Mr. Clavering.