For he had the impudence
to come, in order to dispel any suspicions that might have been
aroused anent his complicity in the card-cheating affair. The
hostess's calmness amazed him. Was she still ignorant of her
brother's death and the complications arising from it, or was she
only acting a part? He was so anxious and undecided, that instead
of mingling with the groups of talkers, he at once took a seat at
the card-table, whence he could watch the poor woman's every
movement.
Both rooms were full, and almost everybody was engaged in play,
when, shortly after midnight, a servant entered the room,
whispered a few words in his mistress's ear, and handed her a
card. She took it, glanced at it, and uttered so harsh, so
terrible, so heart-broken a cry, that several of the guests sprang
to their feet. "What is it? What is it?" they asked. She tried
to reply, but could not. Her lips parted, she opened her mouth,
but no sound came forth. She turned ghastly white under her
rouge, and a wild, unnatural light gleamed in her eyes. One
curious guest, without a thought of harm, tried to take the card,
which she still held in her clinched hand; but she repulsed him
with such an imperious gesture that he recoiled in terror. "What
is it? What is the matter with her?" was the astonished query on
every side.
At last, with a terrible effort, she managed to reply, "Nothing.
Pages:
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137