Claude involuntarily shrank away from the ghastly face, for the hands had printed hideous traces upon the womans brow.
The shrinking away was momentary, for, recovering herself. Claude drew her handkerchief from her pocket, to turn in surprise as it was drawn from her hand, but she directly gave Glyddyr a grateful look, as she saw him step to a rough granite trough into which a jet of pure water was pouring from the cliff, and saturating it quickly, he returned the handkerchief to its owner.
But before the blood stains could be removed, the voice of the injured man was heard calling.
Sarah! Dont leave me, my girl. He has murdered me.
The woman gave Claude a wild look, rose from her knees, and tottered back to the cottage as the voice of Gartram was heard in angry retort.
Its like talking to a madman, Ike Woodham, came clear and loud; but youve got hurt by your own wilful obstinacy, and you want to throw the blame on me.
As he spoke, Gartram strode out of the cottage, and then whispered to his child,
Come home, my dear. You can do no good.
No, no; not yet, papa, she whispered. I must try if I can help poor Sarah in her terrible trouble.
A low murmur arose from the little crowd, and this seemed to excite Gartram.
Well, he cried fiercely, what does that mean? It was his own fault in direct opposition to my orders; and this is not the first accident through your own folly.
The low, angry muttering continued.
Here, come away, Claude, cried Gartram fiercely, as he looked round at the lowering faces.
He has murdered me, I tell you! came from the open cottage door.
Bah! ejaculated Gartram angrily, and he strode away, but returned directly.
Are you coming, my girl?
Yes, papa, soon. Let me see if I can be of use.
Look here, Mr Glyddyr, said Gartram, speaking in a low, excited voice, I cant stop. I shall be saying things that will make them mad. See after Claude, and bring her home. The senseless idiots! If a man bruises himself with his own hammer, it is blamed on me.
He strode away, and ignoring Glyddyrs presence, Claude was moving softly toward the door, when the man who had brought the message held out his hand to arrest her.
Dont go in, dear bairn, he said in a husky whisper; it isnt for the likes of you to see.
Thank you, Wolfe, she said calmly, I am not afraid.
But at that moment, as Glyddyr was about to make a protest, a quiet-looking, gentlemanly man appeared at the door turning down his cuffs, the perspiration glistening upon his high white forehead as he came out into the sun.
No, no, my dear child, he said in a whisper, as a low moaning came from within and seemed to be followed by the low soft washing of the waves below. You can do no good.
Is is he very bad, Doctor Asher? asked Claude.
He looked at her for an instant or two without replying, and then bent his head.
Oh! ejaculated Claude, with a low cry of pain.
Terribly crushed, my dear; better leave them together alone.
But you do not think oh, Doctor Asher, you can save him?
Is it so bad as that, sir? whispered Glyddyr, as he saw the peculiar look in the doctors face. Couldnt you with more help shall I send?
My dear sir, said the doctor in a low voice, half a dozen of the crack London surgeons couldnt save him.
Oh! sighed Claude again. But a clergyman. Mr Glyddyr, would you go into Danmouth?
Better not, my dear child, said the doctor quietly. You know their peculiar tenets. His wife was praying with him when I came out.
As if to endorse the doctors words, the low, constant murmur of a voice was heard from within, and from time to time a gasping utterance was heard, and then twice over the word Amen.
Just then Claude stepped softly toward the open doorway, and sank upon her knees with her hands clasped, and her face turned up appealingly toward the sunny sky, while all around seemed full of life, and hope, though the black shadow of death was closing in upon the humble roof. And as Glyddyr saw the sweet, pure, upturned face, with its closed eyes, he involuntarily took off his hat, and gazed wistfully, with something
very near akin to love seeming to swell within his breast.
The silence was very deep, though the murmur from the cottage continued, till, in the midst of what seemed to be a painful pause, a loud and bitter wail came upon the stillness, and the doctor hurriedly stepped within.
Poor Ikes cottage is to let, mates, said a rough, low voice; who wants to make a change?
Dead? asked Claude, with a motion of her lips, as after a short space the doctor returned.
No; the draught I have given him to dull the pain has had effect: he is asleep.
And when he awakes, Doctor Asher? whispered Claude, as she clung to his arm.
The doctor shook his head.
Can you do nothing?
Only try to lull the pain, was the reply. And then quickly, Wanted somewhere else?
This last was to himself as a man was seen running toward them, and Claude turned if possible paler as she recognised one of the servants from the Fort.
He ran up breathlessly.