It is happier to recollect them as they were; there's a change,
you know, darling, and there is seldom any comfort in the sight.'
'But I do wish it _very_ much. Oh! won't you come with me?'
And so I persuaded her, and up we went hand in hand, in the deepening
twilight; and we halted at the end of the dark gallery, and I called Mrs.
Rusk, growing frightened.
'Tell her to let us in, Cousin Monica,' I whispered.
'She wishes to see him, my lady--does she?' enquired Mrs. Rusk, in an
under-tone, and with a mysterious glance at me, as she softly fitted the
key to the lock.
'Are you quite sure, Maud, dear?'
'Yes, yes.'
But when Mrs. Rusk entered bearing the candle, whose beam mixed dismally
with the expiring twilight, disclosing a great black coffin standing upon
trestles, near the foot of which she took her stand, gazing sternly into
it, I lost heart again altogether and drew back.
'No, Mrs. Rusk, she won't; and I am very glad, dear,' she added to me.
'Come, Mrs. Rusk, come away. Yes, darling,' she continued to me, 'it is
much better for you;' and she hurried me away, and down-stairs again.
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