"Lord! teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts
unto wisdom. Oh, spare ME, that I may recover strength, ere I go
hence and be no more!
"In the name of the FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST--dust to dust, and
ashes to ashes! Amen!"
"By the way, Mr. Aylett, the poor wretch up-stairs should be buried
at the expense of the county," remarked the coroner, before taking
leave of Ridgeley and the egg-nogg bowl. "I will take the poor-house
on my way home, and tell the overseer to send a coffin and a cart
over in the morning. You don't care to have the corpse in the house
longer than necessary, I take it? The sooner he is in the Potter's
Field, the more agreeable for you and everybody else."
Mr. Aylett pointed through the back window at the winding path
across the fields.
A short line of black dots was seen coming along it, in the
direction of the house. As they neared it they were discovered to be
men, each with a hoe or shovel upon his shoulder.
"The deed is done!" said the master, smiling. "My good fellows there
have spared the county the expense, and the overseer the trouble of
this little matter. As for the Potter's Field, a place in my
servants' burying-ground is quite as respectable, and more
convenient in this weather."
The jurors were grouped about the fire in the baronial hall,
buttoning up overcoats and splatterdashes, and drawing on their
riding-gloves, all having come on horseback. In the midst of the
general bepraisement of their host's gentlemanly and liberal
conduct, Mrs. Aylett swam down the staircase, resplendent in silver-
gray satin, pearl necklace and bracelets, orange flowers and
camelias in her hair--semi-bridal attire, that became her as nothing
else ever had done.
"My dear madam," said the foreman of the inquest--a courtly
disciple of the old school of manner, and phraseology--as the august
body of freeholders parted to either side to leave her a passage-way
to the fireplace--"your husband is a happy man, and his wife should
be a happy woman in having won the affection of such a model of
chivalry"--stating succinctly the late proof the "model" had offered
to an admiring world of his chivalric principles.
The delicate hand stole to its resting-place upon her lord's arm, as
the lady answered, her ingenuous eyes suffused with the emotion that
gave but the more sweetness to her smile.
"I AM a happy woman, Mr. Nelson! I think there is not a prouder or
more blessed wife in all the land than I am this evening."