urBranderton.Sheseemedtofeelnothingatall.Theyoungmanlookedatherasifheexpectedthatshewouldweeporswoon.
“Wouldyoulikemetosendmywifetoyou?”
“No,thanks.”
Berthaunderstoodquitewellthatherhusbandwasdead,butthenewsseemedtomakenoimpressionuponher.Shehearditunmoved,asthoughitreferredtoastranger.ShefoundherselfwonderingwhatyoungBrandertonthoughtofherunconcern.
“Won’tyousitdown,”hesaid,takingherarmandleadinghertoachair.“ShallIgetyousomebrandy?”
“I’mallright,thanks.Youneednottroubleaboutme—Whereishe?”
“Itoldthemtotakehimupstairs.ShallIsendRamsay’sassistanttoyou?He’shere.”
“No,”shesaid,inalowvoice.“Iwantnothing.Havetheytakenhimupalready?”
“Yes,butIdon’tthinkyououghttogotohim.Itwillupsetyoudreadfully.”
“I’llgotomyroom.DoyoumindifIleaveyou?Ishouldprefertobealone.”
BrandertonheldthedooropenandBerthawalkedout,herfaceverypale,butshowingnottheleasttraceofemotion.BrandertonwalkedtoLeanhamVicaragetosendMissGlovertoCourtLeys,andthenhome,wherehetoldhiswifethatthewretchedwidowwasstunnedbytheshock.
Berthalockedherselfinherroom.Sheheardthehumofvoicesinthehouse,Dr.Ramsaycametoherdoor,butsherefusedtoopenthenallwasquitestill.
Shewasaghastattheblanknessofherheart,thetranquilitywassoinhumanthatshewonderedifshewasgoingmadshefeltnoemotionwhatever.BertharepeatedtoherselfthatEdwardwaskilledhewaslyingquitenearathand,dead—andshefeltnogrief.Sherememberedheranguishyearsbeforewhenshethoughtofhisdeathandnowthatithadtakenplaceshedidnotfaint,shedidnotweep,shewasuntroubled.Berthahadhiddenherselftoconcealhertearsfromstrangeeyes,andthetearscamenot.Afterhersuddensuspicionwasconfirmed,shehadexperiencednoemotionwhatevershewashorrifiedthatthetragicdeathaffectedhersolittle.Shewalkedtothewindowandlookedout,tryingtogatherherthoughts,tryingtomakeherselfcarebutsh