Perhaps he looked through the keyhole. But no; I think that
with his mother he would take it on trust."
"You may be sure I have often thought of it," said Mrs. Bread. "I
am sure she didn't touch him with her hands. I saw nothing on him,
anywhere. I believe it was in this way. He had a fit of his great pain,
and he asked her for his medicine. Instead of giving it to him she went
and poured it away, before his eyes. Then he saw what she meant, and,
weak and helpless as he was, he was frightened, he was terrified. 'You
want to kill me,' he said. 'Yes, M. le Marquis, I want to kill you,'
says my lady, and sits down and fixes her eyes upon him. You know my
lady's eyes, I think, sir; it was with them she killed him; it was
with the terrible strong will she put into them. It was like a frost on
flowers."
"Well, you are a very intelligent woman; you have shown great
discretion," said Newman. "I shall value your services as housekeeper
extremely."
They had begun to descend the hill, and Mrs. Bread said nothing until
they reached the foot. Newman strolled lightly beside her; his head was
thrown back and he was gazing at all the stars; he seemed to himself to
be riding his vengeance along the Milky Way. "So you are serious, sir,
about that?" said Mrs. Bread, softly.
"About your living with me? Why of course I will take care of you to the
end of your days.
Pages:
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477