Donne
recoiled, even in thought.
Just then Mr. Benson entered the room. He had returned home
before his sister, and came upstairs in search of Sally, to whom
he wanted to speak on some subject relating to the funeral. He
bowed in recognition of Mr. Donne, whom he knew as the member for
the town, and whose presence impressed him painfully, as his
illness had been the proximate cause of Ruth's death. But he
tried to check this feeling, as it was no fault of Mr. Donne's.
Sally stole out of the room, to cry at leisure in her kitchen.
"I must apologise for being here," said Mr. Donne. "I was hardly
conscious where your servant was leading me to, when she
expressed her wish that I should walk upstairs."
"It is a very common idea in this town, that it is a
gratification to be asked to take a last look at the dead,"
replied Mr. Benson.
"And in this case I am glad to have seen her once more," said Mr.
Donne. "Poor Ruth!"
Mr. Benson glanced up at him at the last word. How did he know
her name? To him she had only been Mrs. Denbigh. But Mr. Donne
had no idea that he was talking to one unaware of the connection
that had formerly existed between them; and, though he would have
preferred carrying on the conversation in a warmer room, yet, as
Mr. Benson was still gazing at her with sad, lingering love, he
went on--
"I did not recognise her when she came to nurse me; I believe I
was delirious.
Pages:
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596