She was never
really herself after crossing the threshold of this desolate house
to be married. The shadow which lurks within its walls fell at that
instant upon her life. May God have mercy -"
The prayer remained unfinished. His head which had fallen on his
breast sank lower.
He presented the aspect of one who is quite done with life, even
its sorrows.
But men in the position of Coroner Z. can not afford to be
compassionate. Everything the bereaved man said deepened the
impression that he was acting a part. To make sure that this was
really so, the coroner, with just the slightest touch of sarcasm,
quietly observed:
"And to ease your wife's mind - the wife you were so deeply angered
with - you visited this house, and, at an hour which you should have
spent in reconciliation with her, went through its ancient rooms in
the hope - of what?"
Mr. Jeffrey could not answer. The words which came from his lips
were mere ejaculations.
"I was restless - mad - I found this adventure diverting. I had
no real purpose in mind."
"Not when you looked at the old picture?"
"The old picture? What old picture?"
"The old picture in the southwest chamber. You took a look at that,
didn't you? Got up on a chair on purpose to do so?"
Mr. Jeffrey winced.
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