When day dawned Sir Richard lay in his shroud and his little daughter in her cradle , the one unwept , the other unwelcomed by the wife and mother , who , twelve hours before , had called herself the happiest woman in England . They thought her dying , and at her own command gave her the sealed letter bearing her address which her husband left behind him . She read it , laid it in her bosom , and , waking from the trance which seemed to have so strongly chilled and changed her , besought those about her with passionate earnestness to save her life . For two days she hovered on the brink of the grave , and nothing but the indomitable will to live saved her , the doctors said . On the third day she rallied wonderfully , and some purpose seemed to gift her with unnatural strength . Evening came , and the house was very still , for all the sad bustle of preparation for Sir Richard 's funeral was over , and he lay for the last night under his own roof . Hester sat in the darkened chamber of her mistress , and no sound broke the hush but the low lullaby the nurse was singing to the fatherless baby in the adjoining room . Lady Trevlyn seemed to sleep , but suddenly put back the curtain , saying abruptly , `` Where does he lie ? '' `` In the state chamber , my lady , '' replied Hester , anxiously watching the feverish glitter of her mistress 's eye , the flush on her cheek , and the unnatural calmness of her manner . `` Help me to go there ; I must see him . '' `` It would be your death , my lady . I beseech you , do n't think of it , '' began the woman ; but Lady Trevlyn seemed not to hear her , and something in the stern pallor of her face awed the woman into submission . Wrapping the slight form of her mistress in a warm cloak , Hester half-led , half-carried her to the state room , and left her on the threshold . `` I must go in alone ; fear nothing , but wait for me here , '' she said , and closed the door behind her . Five minutes had not elapsed when she reappeared with no sign of grief on her rigid face . `` Take me to my bed and bring my jewel box , '' she said , with a shuddering sigh , as the faithful servant received her with an exclamation of thankfulness . When her orders had been obeyed , she drew from her bosom the portrait of Sir Richard which she always wore , and , removing the ivory oval from the gold case , she locked the former in a tiny drawer of the casket , replaced the empty locket in her breast , and bade Hester give the jewels to Watson , her lawyer , who would see them put in a safe place till the child was grown . `` Dear heart , my lady , you 'll wear them yet , for you 're too young to grieve all your days , even for so good a man as my blessed master . Take comfort , and cheer up , for the dear child 's sake if no more . '' `` I shall never wear them again '' was all the answer as Lady Trevlyn drew the curtains , as if to shut out hope .
Sir Richard was buried and , the nine XXXXX ' gossip over , the mystery of his death died for want of food , for the only person who could have explained it was in a state which forbade all allusion to that tragic day .
England Evening Hester Trevlyn casket days left locket minutes night