"I know Carrie better than you do. When I arrived at the Hall, she looked at me over the bedclothes. 'You can't turn me out now,' she said, 'Dr. Walters won't allow you to.' And then she turned her face to the wall, and wouldn't speak to me again until to-day. All last night she cried for you. 'Fetch Mrs. Holme, I want her. I'm going to die, fetch her!' And when I went into her this morning, it was the same old cry; so I spoke to her." "'Cheer up,' I said; 'I'll fetch her. I'll go at once.' And off I came. She looked at me suspiciously, but had the grace to say 'Thank you,' and then the pain seized her, and that's the last I've seen of her. I suppose you think I feel remorseful about it? I don't! I only feel that in the long run people's greed and covetousness find them out. They have to suffer. But I almost feel sorry for her now that she's such a wreck. I'll do my best to ease her last hours on earth." "I'm sure you will. I'm so very sorry for you both." Then Miss Maybrick lapsed into silence, and Anstice did not feel inclined to break it. She went straight up to Miss Carrie's bedroom when she reached the Hall, and found her with fever-flushed cheeks and parched, dry lips, wrapped in cotton-wool, and giving plaintive cries like some child in pain. As Anstice bent over her, she opened her eyes and a look of recognition flashed into them. "I'm going to die," she gasped; "and you're a good woman. I know you are. Help me." "May I be alone with her?" Anstice asked Miss Maybrick. "And don't you think Mr. Bolland might be sent for?" "I'll send, if you think it's any good. She doesn't know him, and the Vicar here has gone away for his health and there are only locum tenens who come over for the Sunday services." The day nurse rather unwillingly left the room, and then Anstice knelt by the bed. "Miss Carrie, our Lord is here close to you. Won't you speak to Him yourself?" "I don't know how," she whimpered. "I'm in too much pain." "Can you say after me, 'Lord, have mercy on me and receive my soul'?" She murmured the words. Her breathing was distressing her. Anstice bent over her. "'Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.' Those are our Lord's words. He will receive you." She stretched out her hot shaking hand and clutched hold of Anstice. "All the sins of my sixty years," she murmured. "Lord, have mercy on me. Don't leave me." But the nurse was back, pushing Anstice aside. "My patient must have no agitation. Her heart is very weak." Miss Carrie gave an angry cry. "She is not to leave me. I won't have it." Her face was purple. She panted in her excitement. Anstice reseated herself by the bed in spite of the nurse. "I'm not going to talk, but I'm here, dear Miss Carrie, and I'm praying for you." Miss Carrie heaved a sigh of relief. "I hate these strange women," she murmured. "I want only you." * * * * * Anstice arrived home about four o'clock in the afternoon.