It was well for her that the dull stupor of exhaustion fell over her, or the pain she was suffering must have killed her. She did not know how the time passed. It was like one long, cruel dream of anguish, until the summons came for luncheon. Then she went down stairs. Adrian was not there--that was some consolation. She looked quickly around the room.
"How could I look on his face and live, knowing that I shall see it no more?" she said to herself.
It was like a horrible travesty--the movements of the servants, the changing of the dishes, Lady Vaughan's anxiety about the cold chicken, Sir Arthur's complaint about the wine, while her heart was breaking, and Claude lay in the prison from which she must free him.
Lady Vaughan was very kind to her. She expressed great concern at seeing her look so ill--tried to induce her to eat some grapes--told her that Adrian was coming to dinner, and would bring some friends with him; then said a few words about Claude, pitied his mother, yet blamed her for not bringing him up better, and the ordeal was over.
Hyacinth went away from the dining-room with a faint, low moan.
"How shall I bear it?" she said--"how shall I live through it?"
It was two o'clock then. How were the long hours to be passed? How was she to bear the torture of her own thoughts? Whither could she go for refuge? Suddenly it occurred to her that she had no money. How was she to travel in England without some?
She did not give herself time for thought; if she had, her courage would have failed her. She went to Sir Arthur's room and tapped at the door. The tremulous, feeble voice bade her enter. Sir Arthur was writing some letters. She went up to him.
"Grandpa," she said, "I have no money--and I want some. Will you give me a little, please?"
He looked at her in surprise--she had never made such a request to him before.
"Money, child," he repeated--"of course you shall have some. You want to buy some trinkets--something for Adrian. What shall I give you--ten--twenty pounds?"
He drew a small cash-box near to him, and counted twenty bright sovereigns into her hand.
"Five more, for luck!" he said with a smile. "Always come to me when you want money, Hyacinth."
She kissed him--he was so kind, and she had to leave him so soon.