"
Mr. Gresley smiled. "I am afraid, my lord, Hester has given you an
inaccurate account. I assure you, she is incapable of walking five
miles, much less ten."
"She took about five hours to do it," said the Bishop, who had hesitated
an instant, as if swallowing something unpalatable. "In moments of great
excitement nervous persons like your sister are capable of almost
anything. The question is, whether she will survive the shock that drove
her out of your house last night. Her hands are severely burned. Dr.
Brown, whom I left with her, fears brain fever."
The Bishop paused, giving his words time to sink in. Then he went on
slowly in a level voice, looking into the fire.
"She still thinks that she has killed Regie. She won't believe the
doctor and me when we assure her she has not. She turns against us for
deceiving her."
Mr. Gresley wrestled with a very bitter feeling towards his sister,
overcame it, and said, hoarsely:
"Tell her from me that Regie is not much the worse, and tell her that
I--that his mother and I--forgive her."
"Not me, James," sobbed Mrs. Gresley. "It is too soon. I don't. I can't.
If I said I did I should not feel it."
"Hester is not in a condition to receive messages," said the Bishop.
"She would not believe them.
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