Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/28

 the result that she grew more lovable and companionable, and gained a friendly interest from the village which had not been hers during the judge's lifetime.

To this recovered peace of mind the tragic death of Wing came as a crushing blow, the full weight of which few realised until the broken, haggard woman was seen of the public for the first time at the inquest. Years seemed to have left their impress upon her, and there were many who noted that the immediate physical effect was as much more marked than that following the judge's death, as Wing's death had been the more tragic. Her husband's death left to her the responsibility of protecting his name, in co-operation with his partner and friend. Wing's death snatched away the last prop and stay of her years. Husbandless and childless, to her life had no further meaning, and while the community was whispering that she was again rich—for it was known that she was the principal legatee of the dead lawyer's will—she was looking down the years with a dread that made hope impossible.

Her testimony was of the briefest. She had said