Hester repeated her words , but Sir Richard never stirred . Much alarmed , the woman raised his head , saw that he was unconscious , and rang for help . But Richard Trevlyn was past help , though he lingered for some hours . He spoke but once , murmuring faintly , `` Will Alice come to say good-bye ? '' `` Bring her if she can come , '' said the physician . Hester went , found her mistress lying as she left her , like a figure carved in stone . When she gave the message , Lady Trevlyn answered sternly , `` Tell him I will not come , '' and turned her face to the wall , with an expression which daunted the woman too much for another word . Hester whispered the hard answer to the physician , fearing to utter it aloud , but Sir Richard heard it , and died with a despairing prayer for pardon on his lips . 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 XXXXX her on the threshold .
England Evening Hester Richard Trevlyn days hours left night shroud