Cursed by a Fortune Part 71

"Yes--yes, ma'am; it has worn loose. The screw has got old."

"What did you use to fasten it with--resin?"

"I--I did not do anything to it, ma'am," faltered the woman, whose face was now ghastly.

"Someone did, and it melted down into the tea. It tastes horrible.

Take the pot, and wash it out I must make some fresh."

"Yes, ma'am," said the woman eagerly, glancing from the tea-pot to her and back again. "You had better make some fresh, of course."

She uttered a sigh, as if relieved, but Kate saw that her hands trembled as she took up the pot.

"There, be quick. I shall not complain to Mr Garstang, and get you another scolding."

"Thank you, ma'am--no ma'am," said the woman faintly, and she glanced behind her toward the door, and then caught at the table to support herself.

"What is the matter? Are you unwell?" asked Kate.

"N-no, ma'am--a little faint and giddy, that's all," she faltered. "I-- am gettin' better now--it's going off."

"You are ill?" said Kate kindly. "Never mind the tea. I will go to the cellaret and get you a little brandy. There, sit down for a few moments. Yes, sit down; your face is covered with cold perspiration.

Are you in the habit of turning like this?"

The woman did not answer, but sat back in the chair into which she had been pressed, moaning slightly, and wringing her hands.

"No-no," she whispered wildly; "don't go. He's there. I dursen't. I shall be better directly. Miss Wilton, I couldn't help it, dear; he--he did it. Don't say you've drunk any of that tea!"

It was Kate's turn to s.n.a.t.c.h at something to support her, as the horrible truth flashed upon her; and she stood there with her face ghastly and her eyes wild and staring at the woman, who had now struggled to her feet.

For some moments she could not stir, but at last the reaction came, and she caught the housekeeper tightly by the arm, and placed her lips to her ear.

"You are a woman--a mother; for G.o.d's sake, help me! Quick, while there is time. Take me with you now."

"I can't--I can't," came back faintly; "I daren't; it's impossible."

Kate thrust the woman from her, and with a sudden movement clapped her hands to her head to try and collect herself, for a strange singing had come in her ears, and objects in the room seemed a long distance off.

The sensation was momentary and was succeeded by a feeling of wild exhilaration and strength, but almost instantaneously this too pa.s.sed off; and she reeled, and saved herself from falling by catching at one of the easy chairs, into which she sank, and sat staring helplessly at the woman, who was now speaking to someone--she could not see whom--but the words spoken rang in her ears above the strange metallic singing which filled them.

"Oh, sir, pray--pray, only think! For G.o.d's sake, sir!"

"Curse you, hold your tongue, and go! Dare to say another word, and--do you hear me?--go!"

Kate was sensible of a thin cold hand clutching at hers for a moment; then a wave of misty light which she could not penetrate pa.s.sed softly before her eyes, and this gradually deepened; the voices grew more and more distant and then everything seemed to have pa.s.sed away.

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

"Curse you! Do you hear what I say?" roared Garstang, furiously; "leave the room!"

"No, sir, I won't!" cried the housekeeper, as she stood sobbing and wringing her hands by Kate's side. "It's horrible; it's shameful!"

"Silence!"

"No, I won't be silenced now," cried the woman. "You're my master, and I've done everything you told me up to now, for I thought she was only holding back, and that at last she'd consent and be happy with you; but you're not the good man I thought you were, and the poor dear knew you better than I did; and I wouldn't leave her now, not if I died for it-- so there!"

"Come, come," said Garstang, hurriedly; "don't be absurd, Sarah. You are excited, and don't know what you are saying."

"I never knew better what I was saying, sir," cried the woman, pa.s.sionately. "Absurd! Oh, G.o.d forgive you--you wicked wretch! And forgive me too for listening to you to-day. You took me by surprise, you did, and I didn't see the full meaning of it all. Oh, it's shameful!--it's horrible! And I believe you've killed her; and we shall all be hung, and serve us right, only I hope poor Becky, who is innocent as a lamb, will get off."

"Look here, Sarah, my good woman; you are frightened, and without cause."

"Without cause? Oh, look at her--look at her! She's dying--she's dying!"

"Hush, you silly woman! There, I won't be cross with you; you're startled and hysterical. Run into the dining-room and fetch the brandy from the cellaret."

"No. If you want brandy, sir, fetch it yourself. I don't stir from here till this poor dear has come to, or lies stiff and cold."

Garstang ground his teeth, and rushed upon the woman savagely, but she did not shrink; and he mastered himself and took a turn or two up and down the room before facing her again, and beginning to temporise.

"Look here, Sarah," he said, in a low, husky voice; "I've been a good friend to you."

"Yes, sir, always," said the woman, with a sob.

"And I've made a home here for your idiot child."

"Which she ain't an idiot at all, sir, but she ain't everybody's money; and grateful I've always been for your kindness, and you know how I've tried to show it. Haven't I backed you up in this? Of course, you wanted to marry such a dear, sweet, young creature; but for it to come to that! Oh! shame upon you, shame!"

Garstang made a fierce gesture, but he controlled himself and stopped by her again.

"Now just try and listen to me, and let me talk to you, not as my old servant, but as my old friend, whom I have trusted in this delicate affair, and whom I want to go on trusting to help me."

"No, sir, no. You've broken all that, and I'll never leave the poor dear--there!"

"Will you hear me speak first?" said Garstang, making a tremendous effort to keep down his rage.

"Yes, sir, I'll listen," said the woman; "but I'll stop here."

"Now, let me tell you, then--as a friend, mind--how I am situated. It is vital to me that we should be married at once, and you must see as a woman, that for her reputation's sake, after being here with me so long, she ought to give up all opposition. Now, you see that--"

"I'd have said 'Yes' to it yesterday, sir," said the woman, firmly; "but I can't say it to-night."

"Nonsense! I tell you it is for her benefit. I only want her to feel that further resistance is useless. There, now, I have spoken out to you. You see it is for the best. To-morrow or next day we shall be married by special license. I have made all the arrangements."

"Then, now go and make all the arrangements for the poor dear's funeral, you bad, wicked wretch!" cried the woman pa.s.sionately, as she sank on her knees and clasped Kate about the waist. "Oh, my poor dear, my poor dear, he has murdered you!"

"Silence, idiot!" cried Garstang, in a fierce whisper. "Can't you see that she is only asleep?"