Page:The Beauforts.djvu/190



HEN, late that evening, Elisabeth Cunningham arrived at Beatrice Gardens, she found the whole house in that state of disorder and breathless suspense which is generally the result when serious illness occurs in a poor family where there is no definite head.

Patty was nowhere to be seen, and Jane, with very red eyes, ushered Elisabeth into the drawing-room, where a smoking paraffin-lamp did little to disperse the gloom.

Constance was lying on the sofa, and sprang up to meet her cousin with an exclamation of astonishment.