They were, in truth, considerably relieved in mind. Death
is the great equalizer. In his pale presence they forgot their old
squabbles and jealousies; they forgot their numberless and legitimate
complaints against this woman. All honoured the defunct who had now
lost, presumably for ever, the capacity of mischief-making.
There was undisguised sorrow among the trades-people and Residency
servants. They flocked to the procession in crowds, desiring by this
last mark of respect to attract the benevolent notice of the
Commissioner and to be remembered in the event of some future
settling-up of accounts. To their tear-stained eyes, it looked as if
this happy event were receding further and further away into the dim
distance. Hoping against hope, they mourned sincerely. And none wept
more convincingly that the little maid Enrichetta, an orphan of tender
years whom the lady had taken into her service as an act of charity and
forthwith set to work like a galley-slave. The child was convulsed with
sobs.
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