Oswald, almost mechanically, said he would take some, and she rang the bell for the urn. He began to think all this strange and more strange; to ask himself: what it tended to. Dr. Davenal had gone away to avoid the inquest?--and his daughter when spoken to upon the subject had turned as white as the grave? What did it mean? "Do you know the particulars of Lady Oswald's death?" he inquired as he stirred his tea. "Yes. Don't you! She died from chloroform. They deemed it necessary to give it her, and she never rallied from it." "Who gave it to her? Which of them?" "Which of them?" repeated Caroline, lifting her eyes, thinking no doubt the question a superfluous one. "They were both present; they would act in concert one with the other. If you mean to cast blame on them, Oswald, I should say you must cast it conjointly. But they acted for the best." "I do not cast blame on them," he answered. "I don't understand the affair sufficiently yet to cast blame anywhere. It is a riddle to me." "What is a riddle?" "How Dr.--how they came to use chloroform at all." "Why, it is in almost universal use now!" exclaimed Mrs. Cray, surprised at the remark. "There is no riddle in that." Oswald did not press it. In his opinion there _was_ a riddle; one he began to think would not be easy of solution. He finished his tea in silence. By and by Mrs. Cray resumed. "Mark seems not to like to talk of it. I asked him a great many questions, as was natural, but he put me off, saying I should be falling into hysterics again. I told him that was nonsense, now the shock was over; but he would not talk of it, seemed quite to wince when I pressed it. It was not a pleasant subject for him, he said. And of course it is not: and still less so for my uncle, whose authority sways Mark. However good their intentions were, it did kill her." "Will Mark be long, do you suppose?" inquired Oswald, breaking another long pause. "As if I could tell, Oswald! I have been expecting him every minute this hour past. When I grumble at Mark for staying out so, he tells me I must blame his patients. Nay, but you are not going yet?" she added, as he rose. "Mark is sure to be in soon." "I cannot well stay longer now," he answered. "I shall see Mark in the morning. I suppose he attends the funeral?" "Of course he will. They will both attend it. I wish you would not hurry away!" He repeated his apology, and Caroline rang the bell. In point of fact he wanted to call on Dr. Davenal. Scarcely had the servant closed the door on Mr. Oswald Cray than he met his brother. Mark was coming along at a quick pace. "Oswald, is it you? Have you been to the Abbey?" "I have been taking tea with your wife, and waiting for you. She is nearly out of patience. Mark!" he continued, passing his arm within his brother's and leading him a few steps away while he talked, "what a shocking thing this is about Lady Oswald!" "Ay, it is that. So unexpected. Won't you come in?"