TENANT FOR LIFE - Scene 58

SCENE 58

• “Ha! then you were present at her death, poor lady?”
• “Pardon me, my dear,” the old lady continued. “I do not think there is any need to pity my lady—as I always called her after her mother’s, Lady Shirley’s death—she was sufficiently good not to fear death over much.”
• “Did she die peaceably, may I ask, Mrs. Dumarty?”
• “I was assured she did.”
• “Oh, you were not present, Mrs. Dumarty?”
• “No, my dear, I was not; and I shall never forgive myself for having been away at the time. But the fact is, that we did not expect any addition to the family for fully two months from the time when the poor dear lady suffered; and I—I shall never forgive myself—had gone down home into the country to see our relations—I mean mine and my lady’s, we both coming from one part.”
• “Oh!” I said, balked; for it was clear, as far as she herself was concerned, Mrs. Dumarty was valueless as one of my witnesses.