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 days ' 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 . For a year Lady Trevlyn 's reason was in danger . A long fever left her so weak in mind and body that there was little hope of recovery , and her days were passed in a state of apathy sad to witness . She seemed to have forgotten everything , even the shock which had so sorely stricken her . The sight of her child failed to rouse her , and month after month slipped by , leaving no trace of their passage on her mind , and but slightly renovating her feeble body . Who the stranger was , what his aim in coming , or why he never reappeared , no one discovered . The contents of the letter left by Sir Richard were unknown , for the paper had been destroyed by Lady Trevlyn and no clue could be got from her .
Sir XXXXX had died of heart disease , the physicians said , though he might have lived years had no sudden shock assailed him .
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