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Presently a bedroom window was opened, and a fair face looked out into the night for a moment. It was Jael Dence. She had assisted Miss Carden to dress, and had then, at her request, prepared the room, and decked it with flowers, to receive a few of the young lady's more favored friends. This done, she opened the window, and Henry Little saw her.
The unfortunate bride, without lifting her head from the table, had reached out her hand, and was fingering this stiletto. Jael Dence went and took it gently away, and put it out of reach. The bride went on fingering, as if she had still got hold of it. Amboyne exchanged an approving glance with Jael, and Raby concluded the letter.
She sat silent a long time: then looking up, she saw Jael Dence gazing at her with moist eyes, and an angelic look of anxiety and affection. She caught her round the neck, and kissed her, almost passionately. "All the better," she cried, struggling with a sob. "I shall have my own way for once. You shall be my daughter instead."
He even drew near her to enable her to carry out her wish: but, on that, Jael Dence wrenched her round directly, and Dr. Amboyne disarmed her, and Raby marched between the bride and the bridegroom, and kept them apart: then they all drew their breath, for the first time, and looked aghast at each other.
Little's face betrayed a series of emotions: first confusion, then astonishment, and at last a sort of superstitious alarm. "At Cairnhope?" she faltered at last, "My son at Cairnhope?" "Pray do not torment yourself with fancies," said the doctor. "All this is the merest accident the simplest thing in the world. I cured Patty Dence of diphtheria, when it decimated the village.
I'm Martha Dence at your service: and this is Cairnhope town." "Cairnhope!" cried Henry, and started back, so that his wooden chair made a loud creak upon the stones of the farmer's kitchen. Martha Dence stared, but said nothing; for almost at that moment the doctor returned, all in a hurry, for the letter. Henry begged him to look at it, and see if it would do. The doctor read it.
As soon as they were alone, she said, "Is Jael Dence alive or dead?" "She was alive half an hour ago." "Where is she?" "At the hospital." "Take me to the hospital."
The message, however, had not been gone long when the desire to put a question to Jael Dence returned strongly upon Grace Carden. She yielded to an uncontrollable impulse, and sent her maid down to say that she would speak to Jael Dence, in her bedroom, the last thing at night. "The last thing at night!" said Jael, coloring with indignation; "and where am I to find a bed after that?"
"Thomas, this picture will remain as it is while I live." "Yes, sir." "I find I can bear the sight of you. As we get older we get tougher. You look as if you didn't want me to quarrel with your son? Well, I will not: there has been quarreling enough. Any of the loyal Dences here?" But he never even turned his head from the picture to look for them. "Only me, sir; Jael Dence, at your service.
Jael Dence had eclipsed her in every way; had saved his life with her strong arm, had almost perished with him; and had tried to kill herself when he was dead. SHE was far behind this rival in every thing. She had only loved, and suffered, and nearly died.
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