ence.Itwasthesameindifferencethatchilledherheartnow.
Herlifeseemedallwastedwhenshecomparedhermaddesireforhappinesswiththemiseryshehadactuallyendured.Bertha’smanyhopesstoodoutlikephantoms,andshelookedatthemdespairingly.Shehadexpectedsomuchandsecuredsolittle.Shefeltaterriblepainatherheartassheconsideredallshehadgonethrough.Herstrengthfellaway,andovercomebyherownself-pity,shesanktoherkneesandburstintotears.
“Oh,God!”shecried,“whathaveIdonethatIshouldhavebeensounhappy?”
Shesobbedaloud,notcaringtorestrainhergrief.MissGlover,goodsoul,waswaitingoutsidetheroomincaseBerthawantedher,cryingsilently.Sheknockedagainwhensheheardtheimpetuoussobswithin.
“Oh,Bertha,doletmein.You’retormentingyourselfsomuchmorebecauseyouwon’tseeanybody.”
Berthadraggedherselftoherfeetandundidthedoor.MissGloverentered,andthrowingoffallreserveinheroverwhelmingsympathy,claspedBerthatoherheart.
“Oh,mydear,mydear,it’sutterlydreadfulI’msosorryforyou.Idon’tknowwhattosay.Icanonlypray.”
Berthasobbedunrestrainedly—notbecauseEdwardwasdead.
“AllyouhavenowisGod,”saidMissGlover.
AtlastBerthatoreherselfawayanddriedhereyes.
“Don’ttryandbetoobrave,Bertha,”compassionatelysaidtheVicar’ssister.“Itwilldoyougoodtocry.Hewassuchagood,kindman,andhelovedyousodevotedly.”
Berthalookedatherinsilence.
“Imustbehorriblycruel,”shethought.
“DoyoumindifIstayhereto-night,dear,”addedMissGlover.“I’vesentwordtoCharles.”
“Oh,no,pleasedon’t.Ifyoucareforme,Fanny,letmebealone.Idon’twanttobeunkind,butIcan’tbeartoseeanyone.”
MissGloverwasdeeplypained.“Idon’twanttobeintheway.Ifyoureallywishmetogo,I’llgo.”
“IfeelifIcan’tbealone,Ishallgomad.”
“WouldyouliketoseeCharles?”
“No,dear.Don’tbeangry.Don’tthinkmeunkindorungrateful,butIwantnothingbuttobeleftentirelybymyself.”