"We have been in a bustle, as you may
suppose."
"You've not had many staying there."
"Only Mr. Carr; and he left to-day. We've got the old countess-dowager
still."
"And likely to have her, if all's true that's said," put in Mrs. Jones.
Mirrable tacitly admitted the probability. Her private opinion was that
nothing short of a miracle could ever remove the Dowager Kirton from the
house again. Had any one told Mirrable, as she stood there, that her
ladyship would be leaving of her own accord that night, she had simply
said it was impossible.
"Mary," cried the weak voice of poor timid Mrs. Gum, "how was it none of
the brothers came to the funeral? Jabez was wondering. She had a lot,
I've heard."
"It was not convenient to them, I suppose," replied Mirrable. "The one
in the Isle of Wight had gone cruising in somebody's yacht, or he'd have
come with the dowager; and Lord Kirton telegraphed from Ireland that he
was prevented coming. I know nothing about the rest."
"It was an awful death!" shivered Mrs. Gum. "And without cause too; for
the child was not hurt after all. Isn't my lord dreadfully cut up, Mary?"
"I think so; he's very quiet and subdued. But he has seemed full of
sorrow for a long while, as if he had some dreadful care upon him. I
don't think he and his wife were very happy together," added Mirrable.
"My lord's likely to make Hartledon his chief residence now, I fancy,
for--My gracious! what's that?"
A crash as if a whole battery of crockery had come down inside the
house.
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