tiresome changing, they reached Venning. She had
expected a greater coolness in that northern country; but there was a hot
blight over the place, and, as they walked to the inn from the little
station, they could hardly drag their limbs along.

Arthur had telegraphed from London that they must have rooms ready, and
the landlady expected them. She recognized Arthur. He passionately
desired to ask her whether anything had happened since he went away,
but forced himself to be silent for a while. He greeted her with
cheerfulness.

'Well, Mrs Smithers, what has been going on since I left you?' he cried.

'Of course you wouldn't have heard, sir,' she answered gravely.

He began to tremble, but with an almost superhuman effort controlled his
voice.

'Has the squire hanged himself?' he asked lightly.

'No sir--but the poor lady's dead.'

He did not answer. He seemed turned to stone. He stared with ghastly
eyes.

'Poor thing!' said Susie, forcing herself to speak. 'Was it--very
sudden?'

The woman turned to Susie, glad to have someone with whom to discuss the
event. She took no notice of Arthur's agony.

'Yes, mum; no one expected it. She died quite sudden like. She was only
buried this morning.'

'What did she die of?' asked Susie, her eyes on Arthur.

She feared that he would faint. She wanted enormously to get him away,
but did not know how to manage it.

'They say it was heart disease,' answered the landlady. 'Poor thing! It's
a happy release for her.'

'Won't you get us some tea, Mrs Smithers? We're very tired, and we should
like something immediately.'

'Yes, miss. I'll get it at once.'

The good woman bustled away. Susie quickly locked the door. She seized
Arthur's arm.

'Arthur, Arthur.'

She expected him to break down. She looked with agony at Dr Porhoet, who
stood helplessly by.

'You couldn't have done anything if you'd been here. You heard what the
woman said. If Margaret died of heart disease, your suspicions were quite
without ground.'

He shook her away, almost violently.

'For God's sake, speak to us,' cried Susie.

His silence terrified her more than would have done any outburst of
grief. Dr Porhoet went up to him gently.

'Don't try to be brave, my friend. You will not suffer as much if you
allow yourself a little weakness.'

'For Heaven's sake leave me alone!' said Arthur, hoarsely.

They drew back and watched him silently. Susie heard their hostess come
along to the sitting