The door opened to admit the surgeon, Lord Luxellian, and
a Mr. Coole, coroner for the division (who had been attending at
Castle Boterel that very day, and was having an after-dinner chat
with the doctor when Lord Luxellian arrived); next came two female
nurses and some idlers.
Mr. Granson, after a cursory examination, pronounced the woman
dead from suffocation, induced by intense pressure on the
respiratory organs; and arrangements were made that the inquiry
should take place on the following morning, before the return of
the coroner to St. Launce's.
Shortly afterwards the house of the widow was deserted by all its
living occupants, and she abode in death, as she had in her life
during the past two years, entirely alone.
Chapter XXXIV
'Yea, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.'
Sixteen hours had passed. Knight was entering the ladies' boudoir
at The Crags, upon his return from attending the inquest touching
the death of Mrs. Jethway. Elfride was not in the apartment.
Mrs. Swancourt made a few inquiries concerning the verdict and
collateral circumstances. Then she said--
'The postman came this morning the minute after you left the
house. There was only one letter for you, and I have it here.'
She took a letter from the lid of her workbox, and handed it to
him. Knight took the missive abstractedly, but struck by its
appearance murmured a few words and left the room.
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