* * * * *
While this terrible scene was taking place, anxious eyes were taking it
all in from the shore.
Early that day the _Minerva_ had been signalled, and Norah with her
heart in her mouth had watched almost all day from the veranda, scanning
the sea with a pair of binoculars. Mrs. Somerset kept the children
entirely, knowing well what her poor young governess was going through.
[Sidenote: A Weary Night]
The storm had raged fiercely all day, but as night came on it grew
worse. Norah could remain no longer in the house, and had gone down to
the quay. As she reached it she saw a large ship driving furiously
forward to its doom. There she stood as though turned to stone, and was
not aware of a voice speaking in her ear, and a hand drawing her away.
"This is no place for you, Mrs. Wylie; my wife sent me for you. You can
do no good here; you will learn what there is to learn quicker at
home--one can't believe a word they say."
Her agony was too great for words or tears. She had gone through so much
all those years, and now happiness had seemed so near, she had believed
it might even yet be in store for her since Mrs. Somerset had spoken to
her on the subject, and now? . . . She let herself be led into the house,
and when Mrs. Somerset ran to meet her and clasp her in her arms, it was
as if she grasped a statue, so cold and lifeless was Norah.
Pages:
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433