Cursed by a Fortune Part 64

A prisoner, indeed, and the chains seemed to fetter and weigh her down as, without a word, her eyes fixed and gazing straight before her, she walked by him into the hall, mastered the wild agonising desire to fling herself at the door and call for help, and went slowly to the stairs, catching sight of the pale bandaged face peering over the bal.u.s.trade and then drawn back to disappear.

But as Kate saw it a gleam of hope shot through the darkness. Poor Becky--letters--appeals for help to Jenny Leigh. Could she not get a message sent by the hand of the strange-looking, shrinking girl?

She went on steadily up towards her room, without once turning her head, feeling conscious that Garstang was standing below watching her; but by the time she reached the first landing there was the sound of a faint cough and steps crossing to the dining-room, and she breathed more freely, and glanced downward as she turned to ascend the second flight.

The hall was vacant, and looking toward the doorway through which Becky had glided, she called to her in a low, excited whisper:

"Becky! Becky!"

But there was no reply, and hurrying up the rest of the way she followed the girl, entered the room into which she had pa.s.sed, and found her standing in the att.i.tude of one listening intently.

"Becky, I want to speak to you," she whispered; but the girl darted to a door at the other end, and was gliding through into the dressing-room, through which she could reach the staircase.

This time Kate was too quick for her, and caught her by the dress, the girl uttering a low moan, full of despair, and hanging away with all her might, keeping her face averted the while.

"Don't, don't do that," whispered Kate, excitedly. "Why are you afraid of me?"

"Let me go; oh! please let me go."

"Yes, directly," whispered Kate, still holding her tightly; "but please, Becky, I want you to help me. I am in great trouble, dear--great trouble."

"Eh?" said the girl, faintly, "you?"

"Yes, and I do so want help. Will you do something for me?"

"No, I can't," whispered the girl. "I'm no use; I oughtn't to be here; don't look at me, please; and pray, pray let me go."

"Yes, I will, dear; but you will help me. Come to my room when your mother has been."

The girl turned her white grotesque face, and stared at her with dilated eyes.

"You will, won't you?"

Becky shook her head.

"Not to help a poor sister in distress?" said Kate, appealingly.

"You ain't my sister, and I must go. If he knew I'd talked to you he'd be so cross."

With a sudden s.n.a.t.c.h the girl released her dress and fled, leaving Kate striving hard to keep back her tears, as she went on to the broad landing and reached her room, thinking of the little library and the account she had heard of the former occupant, who found life too weary for him, and had sought rest.

Her first impulse was to lock her door, but feeling that she had nothing immediate to fear, and that perhaps a display of acquiescence in Garstang's plans might help her to escape, she sat down to think, or rather try to think, for her brain was in a whirl, and thought crowded out thought before she had time to grasp one.

But she had hardly commenced her fight when there was a tap at the door, and Sarah Plant entered with a breakfast tray, looking smiling and animated.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am; but I've made you a very strong cup of tea, and your breakfast will do you good. There. Now let me help you off with your things."

"No, no, never mind now. Mrs Plant, will you do something to help me?"

"Of course, I will, ma'am. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."

"Why are you smiling at me in that way?"

"Me smiling, ma'am? Was I? Oh, nothing."

"I insist upon your telling me. Ah, you know what has taken place."

"Well, well, ma'am, please don't be angry with me for it. You did give the bell such a peal last night, you quite startled me."

"Then you do know everything?"

"Well, yes, ma'am; you see, I couldn't help it. Me and poor Becky always knew that you were to be the new missis here from the day you came."

"No, it is impossible. I must go away from here at once."

"Lor', my dear, don't you take it like that! Why, what is there to mind? Master is one of the dearest and best of men; and think what a chance it is for you, and what a home."

"Oh, silence; don't talk like that! I tell you it is impossible."

"Ah, that's because you're thinking about Master being a bit older than you are. But what of that? My poor dear man was twice as old as me, and he never had but one fault--he would die too soon."

"I tell you it is impossible, my good woman," cried Kate, imperiously.

"I have been entrapped and deceived, and I call upon you, as a woman, to help me."

"Yes, ma'am, of course I'll help you."

"Ah! then wait here while I write a few lines to one of my father's old friends."

"A letter? Yes, ma'am; but if you please, Master said that all letters were to be taken to him."

"As they were before?" said Kate, with a light flas.h.i.+ng in upon her clouded brain.

"Yes, ma'am; he said so a week or two before you came."

"Planned, planned, planned!" muttered Kate, despairingly.

"Yes, ma'am, and of course I must take them to him. You see, he is my master, and I will say this of him--a better and kinder master never lived. Oh, my dear, don't be so young and foolish. You couldn't do better than what he wishes, and make him happy, and yourself, too."

"Will you help me, woman, to get away from here? I will pay you enough to make you rich if you will," said Kate, desperately.

"I will do anything I can for you, ma'am, that isn't going against Master; of that you may be sure."

"Then will you post a couple of letters for me?" cried Kate, desperately.

"No, ma'am, please, I mustn't do that."

"Go away," cried Kate, fiercely now. "Leave me to myself."

"Oh, my dear, don't, pray, go on like that I know you're young, and the idea frightens you; but it isn't such a very dreadful thing to be married to a real good man."