Епоха невинності

           Maylookedpalebutsmiling:Dr.Bencomb,whohadjustcomeforthesecondtime,tookamorehopefulview,andMrs.Mingott’sdauntlessdeterminationtoliveandgetwellwasalreadyhavinganeffectonherfamily.MayledArcherintotheoldlady’ssitting-room,wheretheslidingdoorsopeningintothebedroomhadbeendrawnshut,andtheheavyyellowdamaskportieresdroppedoverthem;andhereMrs.Wellandcommunicatedtohiminhorrifiedundertonesthedetailsofthecatastrophe.Itappearedthattheeveningbeforesomethingdreadfulandmysterioushadhappened.Atabouteighto’clock,justafterMrs.Mingotthadfinishedthegameofsolitairethatshealwaysplayedafterdinner,thedoor-bellhadrung,andaladysothicklyveiledthattheservantsdidnotimmediatelyrecogniseherhadaskedtobereceived.Thebutler,hearingafamiliarvoice,hadthrownopenthesitting-roomdoor,announcing:"Mrs.JuliusBeaufort"—andhadthencloseditagainonthetwoladies.Theymusthavebeentogether,hethought,aboutanhour.WhenMrs.Mingott’sbellrangMrs.Beauforthadalreadyslippedawayunseen,andtheoldlady,whiteandvastandterrible,sataloneinhergreatchair,andsignedtothebutlertohelpherintoherroom.Sheseemed,atthattime,thoughobviouslydistressed,incompletecontrolofherbodyandbrain.