"I certainly do not think that any one here can dispute Lady
Eversleigh's rights, until Sir Oswald's will has been read, and his
last wishes made known. Whatever passed between my poor friend and his
wife yesterday is known to Lady Eversleigh alone. It is for her to
settle matters with her own conscience; and if she chooses to remain
beneath this roof, no one here can presume to banish her from it,
except in obedience to the dictates of the dead."
"The wishes of the dead will soon be known," said Reginald; "and then
that guilty woman will no longer dare to pollute this house by her
presence."
"I do not fear, Reginald Eversleigh," answered Honoria, with sublime
calmness. "Let the worst come. I abide the issue of events. I wait to
see whether iniquity is to succeed; or whether, at the last moment, the
hand of Providence will be outstretched to confound the guilty. My
faith is strong in Providence, Mr. Eversleigh. And now stand aside, if
you please, and let me look upon the face of my husband."
This time, Reginald Eversleigh did not venture to dispute the widow's
right to enter the death-chamber. He made way for her to pass him, and
she went in and knelt by the side of the dead. Mr. Dalton, the lawyer,
was moving softly about the room, putting seals on all the locks, and
collecting the papers that had been scattered on the table. The parish
doctor, who had been summoned hastily, stood near the corpse.
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