Этюд в багровых тонах
The Avenging Angels.
“Marriedyesterday—that’swhatthoseflagsareforontheEndowmentHouse. TherewassomewordsbetweenyoungDrebberandyoungStangersonastowhichwastohaveher. They’dbothbeeninthepartythatfollowedthem,andStangersonhadshotherfather,whichseemedtogivehimthebestclaim;butwhentheyargueditoutincouncil,Drebber’spartywasthestronger,sotheProphetgaveherovertohim. Noonewon’thaveherverylongthough,forIsawdeathinherfaceyesterday. Sheismorelikeaghostthanawoman. Areyouoff,then?”
“Yes,Iamoff,”saidJeffersonHope,whohadrisenfromhisseat. Hisfacemighthavebeenchiselledoutofmarble,sohardandsetwasitsexpression,whileitseyesglowedwithabalefullight.
“Whereareyougoing?”
“Nevermind,”heanswered;and,slinginghisweaponoverhisshoulder,strodeoffdownthegorgeandsoawayintotheheartofthemountainstothehauntsofthewildbeasts. Amongstthemalltherewasnonesofierceandsodangerousashimself.
ThepredictionoftheMormonwasonlytoowellfulfilled. Whetheritwastheterribledeathofherfatherortheeffectsofthehatefulmarriageintowhichshehadbeenforced,poorLucyneverheldupherheadagain,butpinedawayanddiedwithinamonth. Hersottishhusband,whohadmarriedherprincipallyforthesakeofJohnFerrier’sproperty,didnotaffectanygreatgriefathisbereavement; buthisotherwivesmournedoverher,andsatupwithherthenightbeforetheburial,asistheMormoncustom.
