IV How the Direful News Was Received by Mrs. Calverley; and How Sir Bridgnorth Volunteered to Make Inquiries as to Its Truth
As the two girls entered the drawing-room, their changed appearance and mournful looks struck both Sir Bridgnorth and Mrs. Calverley, who were still seated on the sofa, conversing together earnestly.
Sir Bridgnorth immediately arose, and, advancing to meet them, said to Mildred:
“I am afraid you have not received very good news of Chetwynd?”
“Alas! no, Sir Bridgnorth,” she replied, in a sorrowful voice. “You need give yourself no further concern about my unfortunate brother!”
“Why not?” he interrupted, anxiously.
“He is gone!” she replied, sadly.
“You shock me greatly!” he ejaculated. “Mrs. Calverley and myself have been considering what could be done for him, and have just devised a scheme that we hoped might be successful.”
“All schemes for his benefit are now useless,” said Emmeline. “He no longer needs our aid.”
“Did I hear aright?” said Mrs. Calverley, starting up, and coming towards them. “It cannot be that Chetwynd is dead?”
“It is so,” said Emmeline.
“But how did he die?” asked Mrs. Calverley.
“By his own hand!” replied Emmeline, regarding her fixedly.
Mrs. Calverley looked aghast, and as if ready to drop.
“I did not understand he had destroyed himself,” said Sir Bridgnorth. “When did this sad event occur? Can you give me any particulars?”
“I can only state that he contemplated suicide,” replied Mildred. “This letter is a last farewell to me.”
“Ah! then we need not despair of beholding him again,” said Sir Bridgnorth, with a sensation of relief. “Many a man, now alive, has threatened to put an end to his existence. I hope it may turn out to be so in Chetwynd’s case.”
“I sincerely hope so!” said Mrs. Calverley.
“I have no such belief,” observed Mildred, sadly.
“If you had read his most affecting letter, you would entertain no doubt as to his determination,” added Emmeline, with difficulty refraining from tears.
“We shall soon be able to ascertain the truth,” said Sir Bridgnorth.
“Not so,” replied Mildred. “He has taken such precautions that his fate will remain a mystery.”
Sir Bridgnorth shook his head.
“I can’t believe that possible,” he said. “It will be important, on several accounts, to have proof of his death. He may have made a will.”
“He has made a will, and has sent it me in this letter,” replied Mildred.
“Indeed!” exclaimed Mrs. Calverley, surprised. “But he had nothing to leave.”
“He seems to have thought otherwise,” said Mildred. “He fancied he had certain rights and claims, and those he has left to me.”
The slight shade that passed over Mrs. Calverley’s countenance was not unnoticed by Emmeline.
“This shows it will be absolutely necessary to establish the fact of his death,” observed Sir Bridgnorth. “What is the date of the letter you have received?”
“It was written yesterday,” replied Mildred. “But he is not alive now,” she added, solemnly.
“You believe he destroyed himself last night?” asked Mrs. Calverley.
“I firmly believe so,” she rejoined.
Mrs. Calverley then turned to Sir Bridgnorth, and with a coldness that appeared revolting to Mildred and Emmeline, said:
“Is any case of suicide reported in the papers this morning?”
“I have seen none,” he replied. “But it might have escaped me. I seldom read such cases.”
Emmeline rang the bell, and desired the butler to bring the newspapers.
The order was promptly obeyed, and search made, but no “mysterious death” or “supposed suicide” could be discovered.
“It is needless to ask if any address is given with your letter,” remarked Sir Bridgnorth to Mildred.
“It is not likely there would be.”
“And nothing mentioned that could serve as a guide?”
“Nothing.”
Sir Bridgnorth then bade them all a formal adieu, and made a final attempt to give them comfort.
“I hope Chetwynd may have changed his mind at the last moment,” he said. “I believe it will turn out so. To-morrow I shall set out on my melancholy errand, and institute inquiries. You shall hear from me as soon as I have anything to communicate; and I promise you one thing—I will not remain idle. It shall not be my fault if the facts of this painful affair are not discovered.”
END OF THE SECOND BOOK