Chapter XXXV

fherspeedandremainedinthesameplacebutwithMissGlovertheprocesswasreversed:theworldmovedon,apparentlyfasterandfasterasthecenturydrewnearitsend,butsheremainedfixed—anincarnationoftheeighteen-eighties. Thedaybeforethe11tharrived.ThehoundsweretomeetattheShareandCoulter,aswhenEdwardhadbeenthrown.HesentforDr.RamsaytoassureBerthathathewasquitefitandaftertheexamination,broughthimintothedrawing-room. “Dr.Ramsaysaysmycollar-boneisstrongerthanever.” “ButIdon’tthinkheoughttoridetheroannotwithstanding.Can’tyoupersuadeEdwardnotto,Bertha?” BerthalookedfromthedoctortoEdward,smiling.“I’vedonemybest.” “Berthaknowsbetterthantobother,”saidEdward.“Shedon’tthinkmuchofmeasachurchwarden,butwhenahorseisconcerned,shedoestrustmedon’tyou,dear?” “Ireallydo.” “There,”saidEdward,muchpleased,“that’swhatIcallagoodwife.” NextdaythehorsewasbroughtroundandBerthafilledEdward’sflask. “You’llburymenicelyifIbreakmyneck,won’tyou?”hesaid,laughing.“You’llorderahandsometombstone.” “Mydear,you’llnevercometoaviolentend.Ifeelcertainyouwilldieinyourbedwhenyou’reahundredandtwo,withacrowdofdescendantsweepingroundyou.You’rejustthatsortofman.” “Ha,ha!”helaughed.“Idon’tknowwherethedescendantsarecomingin.” “IhaveapresentimentthatIamdoomedtomakewayforFannyGlover.I’msurethere’safatalityaboutit.I’vefeltforyearsthatyouwilleventuallymarryher,andit’shorridofmetohavekeptyouwaitingsolong—especiallyasshepinesforyou,poorthing.” Edwardlaughedagain.“Well,good-bye!” “Good-bye.RemembermetoMrs.Arthur.” Shestoodatthewindowtoseehimmount,andasheflourishedhiscropather,shewavedherhand. ThewinterdayclosedinandBertha,interestedinthenovelshewasreading,wassurprisedtoheartheclockstrikefive.ShewonderedthatEdwardhadnotyetcomein,andringingforteaandthelamps,hadthecurtainsdrawn.Hecouldnotnowbelong. “Iwonderifhe’shadanotherfall,”shesaid,withasmile.“Hereallyoughttogiveuphunting,he’sgettingtoofat.” Shedecidedtowaitnolonger,butpouredoutherteaandarrangedherselfsothatshecouldgetatthesconesandseecomfortablytoread.Thensheheardacarriagedriveup.Whocoulditbe? “Whatboresthesepeoplearetocallatthistime!” Asthebellwasrung,Berthaputdownherbooktoreceivethevisitor.Butnoonewasshownintherewasaconfusedsoundofvoiceswithout.CouldsomethinghavehappenedtoEdwardafterall?Shesprangtoherfeetandwalkedhalfacrosstheroom.Sheheardanunknownvoiceinthehall. “Whereshallwetakeit?” It.Whatwasit—acorpse?Berthafeltacoldnesstravelthroughallherbody,sheputherhandonachair,sothatshemightsteadyherselfifshefeltfaint.ThedoorwasopenedslowlybyArthurBranderton,andhecloseditquicklybehindhim. “I’mawfullysorry,butthere’sbeenanaccident.Edwardisratherhurt.” Shelookedathim,growingpale,butfoundnothingtoanswer. “Youmustnerveyourself,Bertha.I’mafraidhe’sverybad.You’dbettersitdown.” Hehesitated,andsheturnedtohimwithsuddenanger. “Ifhe