Lady Hurstmonceux went and dropped into her chair, and gazed at Hannah
with breathless interest.
Hannah drew another forward and sat down opposite to the countess.
"Now then," said Berenice eagerly.
"My lady, what I have to tell is soon said. My sister was buried in her
wedding-ring. Her son was born in wedlock."
The Countess of Hurstmonceux started to her feet, clasped her hands and
gazed into Hannah's very soul! The light of an infinite joy irradiated
her face.
"Is this true?" she exclaimed.
"It is true."
"Then I have been mistaken! Oh, how widely mistaken! Thank Heaven! Oh,
thank Heaven!"
And the Countess of Hurstmonceux sank back in her chair, covered her
face with her hands, and burst into tears.
Hannah felt very uncomfortable; her conscience reproached her; she was
self-implicated in a deception; and this to one of her integrity of
character was very painful. Literally, she had spoken the truth; but the
countess had drawn false inferences and deceived herself; and she could
not undeceive her without breaking her oath to Nora and betraying Herman
Brudenell.
Then she pitied that beautiful, pale woman who was weeping so violently.
And she arose and poured out the last of poor Nora's bottle of wine and
brought it to her, saying: "Drink this, my lady, and try and compose yourself."
Berenice drank the wine and thanked the woman, and then said: "I was very wrong to take up such fancies as I did; but then, you do not
know how strong the circumstances were that led me to such fancies. I am
glad and sorry and ashamed, all at once, Hannah! Glad to find my own and
my mother-in-law's suspicions all unfounded; sorry that I ever
entertained them against my dear husband; and ashamed--oh, how much
ashamed--that I ever betrayed them to anyone."
"You were seeking to do him a service, my lady, when you did so," said
Hannah remorsefully and compassionately.
"Yes, indeed I was! And then I was not quite myself! Oh, I have suffered
so much in my short life, Hannah! And I met such a cruel disappointment
on my arrival here! But there! I am talking too much again! Hannah, I
entreat you to forget all that I have said to you. And if you cannot
forget it, I implore you most earnestly never to repeat it to anyone."
"I will not indeed, madam."
The Countess of Hurstmonceux arose and walked to the bed, turned down
the shawl that covered the sleeping child, and gazed pitifully upon him.
Hannah did not now seek to prevent her.