The Maidens of Walsingham - стр. 42

– Where are you going? – Christine asked her, afraid to be alone with her younger sister, because she didn't know how to behave or what to say.

– I'm going to get some water! – Kate replied and hurried out of the house.

Christine realised she had lied but said nothing.

– Eat, Cassie, and then you can go out," she said.

Cassie brightened and eagerly began to eat her porridge.

That same evening Mr. Pilough, as promised, wrote to Lord Draymore about the parson's tragedy, but because the Count was in another town, the envelope with the letter was not opened. In spite of this circumstance, however, the parson's death was nevertheless known: Mr. Pilough, who had become firm friends with Mr. Morris within two months, wrote to him as well. The letter reached London in a short time, in a day and a half from the time the architect hurriedly sent it from Rivershold. Having received and read the letter at noon, Dr Morris was filled with genuine sadness and horror, and hastened to Viscount Wilworth's house. On reaching the Viscount's mansion, Mr. Morris was without delay admitted to the master of the house himself.

– Mr. Morris! You are just in time for lunch," said the Viscount, delighted at his visit.

– Thank you, sir, but I am not hungry. I am afraid I bring you very sad news! – Mr. Morris replied with a slight bow.

– Please, sit down. – Viscount Wilworth pointed to an empty chair by a table laden with porcelain plates of dainty treats: the Viscount liked to have his lunches outdoors, on one of the balconies of his mansion. – What is this sad news?

– Alas, sir, the news is not merely sad, it is terrible: I received a letter from Mr. Pilough today. Perhaps you remember him? The Count of Draymore left it in the village during the restoration.

– Yes, I remember him. An architect from London.

– Well, sir, he informed me of the tragic death of Pastor Glowford the other day.

This news struck the Viscount to the very heart: it even trembled with horror, and the whole being of the young nobleman was in a great agitation.

– It is terrible news! There are no words to express how much I am struck by it! – exclaimed the Viscount, immediately placing the cup of tea he held in his hand on the table. – But how is it possible? How could this misfortune have happened?

– Pastor Glowford had been volunteering to help in the work of restoring the church as a builder, and one of the stone slabs had been too massive for the old building. The stone beneath it had crumbled, and the slab had fallen directly on the head of the parson who was passing under it. It was an instantaneous, painless death; I don't think the poor fellow had time to realise it," said Mr. Morris, again experiencing the sadness he had felt when he had read Mr. Pilough's letter.

– What a pity! What a tragedy! – The Viscount exclaimed quietly: he was truly saddened by the death of Pastor Glowford, but he was also disturbed by the fact that his daughters were orphans. – What about his daughters?

– When tragedy struck, one of the young men ran to the field where the peasants were working and told them of the parson's death. Everyone rushed to the church. The older Glowford girls were upset, they were stunned, they wept, and the sight was so heart-rending that Mr. Pilough could not bear the heat of emotion and retreated to the manor.