Page:Alice Stuyvesant - The Vanity Box.djvu/113

 ladyship was lying, though it seemed an awful thing to Rose that he should have to be there with the dead body of his wife, all alone, and nobody to help him bear his grief and horror.

Kate was called, after Rose, describing her impression of the two shots, and inclining to be somewhat sensational, as servants will. She had been fond of her mistress, in a jealously passionate, ill-regulated way, yet she thoroughly enjoyed giving evidence. She felt herself of immense importance, and the wish to be first with every one she approached was almost a mania with Kate Craigie, though she was unconscious of this peculiarity in herself.

When asked on what terms Sir Ian Hereward lived with his wife, she knew that all eyes were fastened upon her. She wished ardently to say something which could hold the interest she was arousing, some thing more than she had already said to the police.

"I think her ladyship was more in love with Sir Ian, than he was with her," Kate replied, half frightened at her own temerity. Still, she reminded herself, it was not only her duty to tell the truth, but the whole truth.

"What do you mean by that?" inquired the coroner sternly.

Now indeed, Kate must justify herself! She replied that her ladyship thought of nothing but to look well in her husband's eyes, and pleasing him with her style