Part 89 (1/2)

This honest burst, from a meek lady who never talked nonsense, to be sure, but seldom went into eloquence, staggered Richard Ba.s.sett, and enraptured Ruperta so, that she flung both arms round her mother's neck, and cried, ”Oh, mamma! I always thought you were the best woman in England, and now I know it.”

”Well, well, well,” said Richard, kindly enough; then to Ruperta, ”Did I ever say she was not the best woman in England? So you need not set up your throats neck and neck at me, like two geese at a fox.

Unfortunately, she is the simplest woman in England, as well as the best, and she is going to visit the cunningest. That Lady Ba.s.sett will turn our mother inside out in no time. I wish you would go with her; you are a shrewd girl.”

”My daughter will not go till she is asked,” said Mrs. Ba.s.sett, firmly.

”In that case,” said Richard, dryly, ”let us hope the Lord will protect you, since it is for love of Him you go into a she-fox's den.”

No reply was vouchsafed to this aspiration, the words being the words of faith, but the voice the voice of skepticism.

Mrs. Ba.s.sett put on her bonnet, and went to Huntercombe Hall.

After a very short delay she was ushered upstairs, to the room where Lady Ba.s.sett was lying on a sofa.

Lady Ba.s.sett heard her coming, and rose to receive her.

She made Mrs. Ba.s.sett a court courtesy so graceful and profound that it rather frightened the little woman. Seeing which, Lady Ba.s.sett changed her style, and came forward, extending both hands with admirable grace, and gentle amity, not overdone.

Mrs. Ba.s.sett gave her both hands, and they looked full at each other in silence, till the eyes of both ladies began to fill.

”You would have come--like this--years ago--at a word?” faltered Lady Ba.s.sett.

”Yes,” gulped Mrs. Ba.s.sett.

Then there was another long pause.

”Oh, Lady Ba.s.sett, what a life! It is a wonder it has not killed us both.”

”It will kill one of us.”

”Not if I can help it.”

”G.o.d bless you for saying so! Dear madam, sit by me, and let me hold the hand I might have had years ago, if I had had the courage.”

”Why should you take the blame?” said Mrs. Ba.s.sett. ”We have both been good wives: too obedient, perhaps. But to have to choose between a husband's commands and G.o.d's law, that is a terrible thing for any poor woman.”

”It is, indeed.”

Then there was another silence, and an awkward pause. Mrs. Ba.s.sett broke it, with some hesitation. ”I hope, Lady Ba.s.sett, your present illness is not in any way--I hope you do not fear anything more from my husband?”

”Oh, Mrs. Ba.s.sett! how can I help fearing it--especially if we provoke him? Mr. Reginald Ba.s.sett has returned, and you know he once gave your husband cause for just resentment.”

”Well, but he is older now, and has more sense. Even if he should, Ruperta and I must try and keep the peace.”

”Ruperta! I wish I had asked you to bring her with you. But I feared to ask too much at once.”

”I'll send her to you to-morrow, Lady Ba.s.sett.”

”No, bring her.”