"
The girl was frightened; yet more so when, by the light from the
sitting-room, she saw her mistress's face.
"Do you think she's gone home, m'm?"
"Yes, no doubt. Go into the kitchen. I'll call you again."
Mrs. Wade entered the parlour, and closed the door. Her dress was in
disorder; her hair had in part fallen loose; on her hands were
traces of mud. She did not sit down, and remained just within the
door; her look and attitude were those of a terrified listener.
Presently she moved towards the fire, and knelt before it--though
she had no need of warmth. Starts and shudders indicated her mental
anguish. Yet no sound escape her, until, in a sudden convulsion of
her frame, she gave a cry of terror, and threw herself at full
length upon the ground. There she lay, struggling with hysterical
passion, half choked by sobs, now and then uttering a hoarse wail,
at length weeping with the self-abandonment of a child.
It lasted for ten minutes or more, and then followed a long silence.
Her body still quivered; she lay with her face half hidden against
the hearth-rug, lips parted, but teeth set, breathing heavily.
The clock upon her mantelpiece sounded the third quarter--a
quarter to nine. It drew her attention, and at length she half
raised herself. Still she had the look of one who listens. She stood
up, mechanically smoothed her hair, and twice walked the length of
the room.
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