CHAPTER XIX
A sad hurrying and murmuring filled the old rooms and passages of
Beechcote. The village doctor had arrived, and under his direction the
body of John Ferrier had been removed from the garden to the library of
the house. There, amid Diana's books and pictures, Ferrier lay,
shut-eyed and serene, that touch of the ugly and the ponderous which in
life had mingled with the power and humanity of his aspect entirely lost
and drowned in the dignity of death.
Chide and the doctor were in low-voiced consultation at one end of the
room; Lady Lucy sat beside the body, her face buried in her hands;
Marsham stood behind her.
Brown, the butler, noiselessly entered the room, and approached Chide.
"Please sir, Lord Broadstone's messenger is here. He thinks you might
wish him to take back a letter to his lordship."
Chide turned abruptly.
"Lord Broadstone's messenger?"
"He brought a letter for Mr. Ferrier, sir, half an hour ago."
Chide's face changed.
"Where is the letter?" He turned to the doctor, who shook his head.
"I saw nothing when we brought him in."
Marsham, who had overheard the conversation, came forward.
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