And now, with a counterpane about my shoulders, I called loudly
and imploringly, in my horror, to know what had happened.
But I heard only the subdued and eager talk of men engaged in some
absorbing task, and the dull sounds of some heavy body being moved.
Mrs. Rusk came towards us looking half wild, and pale as a spectre, and
putting her thin hands to my shoulders, she said--'Now, Miss Maud, darling,
you must go back again; 'tisn't no place for you; you'll see all, my
darling, time enough--you will. There now, there, like a dear, do get into
your room.'
What was that dreadful sound? Who had entered my father's chamber? It was
the visitor whom we had so long expected, with whom he was to make the
unknown journey, leaving me alone. The intruder was Death!
CHAPTER XXI
_ARRIVALS_
My father was dead--as suddenly as if he had been murdered. One of those
fearful aneurisms that lie close to the heart, showing no outward sign of
giving way in a moment, had been detected a good time since by Dr. Bryerly.
My father knew what must happen, and that it could not be long deferred.
He feared to tell me that he was soon to die.
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