Mrs.Ellmother sat by the dying embers of the kitchen fire;thinking over the events of the day in perplexity and distress.
She had waited at the cottage door for a friendly word with Alban,after he had left Emily.The stern despair in his face warned her to let him go in silence.She had looked into the parlor next.Pale and cold,Emily lay on the sofa--sunk in helpless depression of body and mind."Don't speak to me,"she whispered;"I am quite worn out."It was but too plain that the view of Alban's conduct which she had already expressed,was the view to which she had adhered at the interview between them.They had parted in grief---perhaps in anger--perhaps forever.Mrs.
Ellmother lifted Emily in compassionate silence,and carried her upstairs,and waited by her until she slept.
In the still hours of the night,the thoughts of the faithful old servant--dwelling for a while on past and present--advanced,by slow degrees,to consideration of the doubtful future.Measuring,to the best of her ability,the responsibility which had fallen on her,she felt that it was more than she could bear,or ought to bear,alone.To whom could she look for help?
The gentlefolks at Monksmoor were strangers to her.Doctor Allday was near at hand--but Emily had said,"Don't send for him;he will torment me with questions--and I want to keep my mind quiet,if I can."But one person was left,to whose ever-ready kindness Mrs.Ellmother could appeal--and that person was Miss Ladd.
It would have been easy to ask the help of the good schoolmistress in comforting and advising the favorite pupil whom she loved.But Mrs.Ellmother had another object in view:she was determined that the cold-blooded cruelty of Emily's treacherous friend should not be allowed to triumph with impunity.If an ignorant old woman could do nothing else,she could tell the plain truth,and could leave Miss Ladd to decide whether such a person as Francine deserved to remain under her care.
To feel justified in taking this step was one thing:to put it all clearly in writing was another.After vainly making the attempt overnight,Mrs.Ellmother tore up her letter,and communicated with Miss Ladd by means of a telegraphic message,in the morning."Miss Emily is in great distress.I must not leave her.I have something besides to say to you which cannot be put into a letter.Will you please come to us?"Later in the forenoon,Mrs.Ellmother was called to the door by the arrival of a visitor.The personal appearance of the stranger impressed her favorably.He was a handsome little gentleman;his manners were winning,and his voice was singularly pleasant to hear.
"I have come from Mr.Wyvil's house in the country,"he said;"and I bring a letter from his daughter.May I take the opportunity of asking if Miss Emily is well?""Far from it,sir,I am sorry to say.She is so poorly that she keeps her bed."At this reply,the visitor's face revealed such sincere sympathy and regret,that Mrs.Ellmo ther was interested in him:she added a word more."My mistress has had a hard trial to bear,sir.Ihope there is no bad news for her in the young lady's letter?""On the contrary,there is news that she will be glad to hear--Miss Wyvil is coming here this evening.Will you excuse my asking if Miss Emily has had medical advice?""She won't hear of seeing the doctor,sir.He's a good friend of hers--and he lives close by.I am unfortunately alone in the house.If I could leave her,I would go at once and ask his advice.""Let mego!"Mirabel eagerly proposed.
Mrs.Ellmother's face brightened."That's kindly thought of,sir--if you don't mind the trouble.""My good lady,nothing is a trouble in your young mistress's service.Give me the doctor's name and address--and tell me what to say to him.""There's one thing you must be careful of,"Mrs.Ellmother answered."He mustn't come here,as if he had been sent for--she would refuse to see him."Mirabel understood her."I will not forget to caution him.Kindly tell Miss Emily I called--my name is Mirabel.I will return to-morrow."He hastened away on his errand--only to find that he had arrived too late.Doctor Allday had left London;called away to a serious case of illness.He was not expected to get back until late in the afternoon.Mirabel left a message,saying that he would return in the evening.
The next visitor who arrived at the cottage was the trusty friend,in whose generous nature Mrs.Ellmother had wisely placed confidence.Miss Ladd had resolved to answer the telegram in person,the moment she read it.
"If there is bad news,"she said,"let me hear it at once.I am not well enough to bear suspense;my busy life at the school is beginning to tell on me.""There is nothing that need alarm you,ma'am--but there is a great deal to say,before you see Miss Emily.My stupid head turns giddy with thinking of it.I hardly know where to begin.""Begin with Emily,"Miss Ladd suggested.
Mrs.Ellmother took the advice.She described Emily's unexpected arrival on the previous day;and she repeated what had passed between them afterward.Miss Ladd's first impulse,when she had recovered her composure,was to go to Emily without waiting to hear more.Not presuming to stop her,Mrs.Ellmother ventured to put a question "Do you happen to have my telegram about you,ma'am?"Miss Ladd produced it."Will you please look at the last part of it again?"Miss Ladd read the words:"I have something besides to say to you which cannot be put into a letter."She at once returned to her chair.
"Does what you have still to tell me refer to any person whom Iknow?"she said.
