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Updated: May 26, 2025
"Who is she, Hartledon?" "Mrs. Mirrable," answered his lordship rather shortly. "I think you must have seen her before. She has been Hartledon's mistress since my mother died," he rather pointedly added, for he saw incipient defiance in the old lady's countenance. "Oh, Hartledon's head servant; the housekeeper, I presume," cried she, as majestically as her harsh voice allowed her to speak.
He left the room, and went to the chamber Captain Kirton had occupied when he was at Hartledon in the spring. It was empty, evidently not being used; and Hartledon sent for Mirrable. She came, looking just as usual, wearing a dark-green silk gown; for the twelve-month had expired, and their mourning was over. "Captain Kirton is in the small blue rooms facing south, my lord.
In her day she must have been rather tall nearly as tall as that elegant Maude who followed her; but her astounding width caused her now to appear short. She went looking into the different rooms as shown to her by Mirrable, and chose the best for herself and her daughter. "Three en suite. Yes, that will be the thing, Mirrable.
"Who's Gum of Calne?" "The parish clerk, and a very respectable man. Mirrable, our housekeeper whom you have seen, is related to them. Gum went to Liverpool at the time, I know, and saw the remnant of the passengers those pirates had spared; he was sure to hear a full description of Gordon. If ever I visit Hartledon again I'll ask him." "If ever you visit Hartledon again!" echoed Mr. Carr.
The first link in the chain, whose fetters were to bind more than one victim, had been forged. Link upon link; a heavy, despairing burden no hand could lift; a burden which would have to be borne for the most part in dread secrecy and silence. Mirrable had exerted herself to good purpose, and Mirrable was capable of it when occasion needed.
"It is one of your jokes, Mr. Val!" "Indeed, it is the truth. My brother will be down with a trainful; and desires that everything shall be ready for their reception." "My patience!" gasped Mirrable. "And the servants, sir?" "Most of them will be here to-night. The Countess-Dowager of Kirton is coming as Hartledon's mistress for the time being."
I told him not to invite a heap of people. You and I shall get on together very well, I've no doubt, Mirrable," she continued in a false, fawning voice; for she was remarkably alive at all times to her own interests. "Am I to understand that you are the housekeeper?" "I am acting as housekeeper at present," was Mirrable's answer.
"It's quite true, my lord. Mrs. Mirrable says she has five bowls of disinfectant in their rooms." Lord Hartledon broke into a laugh, not suppressed. "And in the courtyard, looking towards the Rectory, as may be said, there's several pitch-pots alight night and day," added Hedges. "We have had a host of people up, wanting to know if the place is on fire."
"Mary," cried the weak voice of poor timid Mrs. Gum, "how was it none of the brothers came to the funeral? Jabez was wondering. She had a lot, I've heard." "It was not convenient to them, I suppose," replied Mirrable. "The one in the Isle of Wight had gone cruising in somebody's yacht, or he'd have come with the dowager; and Lord Kirton telegraphed from Ireland that he was prevented coming.
"That wild face isn't one to be mistaken: I should like to see its fellow in Calne. Why Lord Hartledon don't have him taken up on suspicion of that murder, is odd to me." "You'd better hold your tongue about that suspicion," interposed Mirrable.
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