"No, sir, I won't!" cried the housekeeper, as she stood sobbing and wringing her hands by Kate's side. "It's horrible; it's shameful!" "Silence!" "No, I won't be silenced now," cried the woman. "You're my master, and I've done everything you told me up to now, for I thought she was only holding back, and that at last she'd consent and be happy with you; but you're not the good man I thought you were, and the poor dear knew you better than I did; and I wouldn't leave her now, not if I died for it-- so there!" "Come, come," said Garstang, hurriedly; "don't be absurd, Sarah. You are excited, and don't know what you are saying." "I never knew better what I was saying, sir," cried the woman, passionately. "Absurd! Oh, God forgive you--you wicked wretch! And forgive me too for listening to you to-day. You took me by surprise, you did, and I didn't see the full meaning of it all. Oh, it's shameful!--it's horrible! And I believe you've killed her; and we shall all be hung, and serve us right, only I hope poor Becky, who is innocent as a lamb, will get off." "Look here, Sarah, my good woman; you are frightened, and without cause." "Without cause? Oh, look at her--look at her! She's dying--she's dying!" "Hush, you silly woman! There, I won't be cross with you; you're startled and hysterical. Run into the dining-room and fetch the brandy from the cellaret." "No. If you want brandy, sir, fetch it yourself. I don't stir from here till this poor dear has come to, or lies stiff and cold." Garstang ground his teeth, and rushed upon the woman savagely, but she did not shrink; and he mastered himself and took a turn or two up and down the room before facing her again, and beginning to temporise. "Look here, Sarah," he said, in a low, husky voice; "I've been a good friend to you." "Yes, sir, always," said the woman, with a sob. "And I've made a home here for your idiot child." "Which she ain't an idiot at all, sir, but she ain't everybody's money; and grateful I've always been for your kindness, and you know how I've tried to show it. Haven't I backed you up in this? Of course, you wanted to marry such a dear, sweet, young creature; but for it to come to that! Oh! shame upon you, shame!" Garstang made a fierce gesture, but he controlled himself and stopped by her again. "Now just try and listen to me, and let me talk to you, not as my old servant, but as my old friend, whom I have trusted in this delicate affair, and whom I want to go on trusting to help me." "No, sir, no. You've broken all that, and I'll never leave the poor dear--there!" "Will you hear me speak first?" said Garstang, making a tremendous effort to keep down his rage. "Yes, sir, I'll listen," said the woman; "but I'll stop here."