The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-17
lContinued.l

threatening (now that he could leave
wsthout absolute danger 20 Miss Hal
combe) to withdraw from his attendance
M Blackwater Park n the Counts inter-
ference was not peremptorily suppressed
from that moment. Sir Percivars re-
ply Thought not designed unciviD had
only resulted In making matters worse
and Mr.. Dawson had thereupon with
drawn from the house. In state or ex-
treme Indignation at Count Foscos US
ase Of him. and had sent In h,s bill the
next morning.
We were now. therefore, left without
the attendance OF medical man Al
though there was no actual necessity
for another doctor--nursing and watch
ing being. as the physician had observed
all that Miss Halcombe reauired-I should
stiu. ~ my authority had been consulted.
have obtained professional assistance,
from some other quarter. for forms sake.
The matter did not seem to strike Sir
Percival in that light He said he would
he In time enough to send for another
doctor IL Miss Halcombe showed any
we had the Count to consult I'm any
minor difficulty. and we need not unnec-
essarily disturb our patient. In her pres
ent weak and nervous condition, by the
presence OF a stranger at her bedside.
There was much that was reasonable.
no doubt. IN these considerations, but
they left me little anxious, neverthe-
less Nor was l quite satisfied. In my
own mind. OF the propriety OF our con-
oh
from Lady Clyde. II was merciful de-
ception. admit--for she was N no state
10 bear any fresh anxieties. But still
n was a deception. and, as such. to a
person OF my principles. at best doubt
full proceeding
A second perplexing circumstance
which happened on the same day ana
which took me completely by surprise.
aided greatly to the sense OF uneaslness
that was now weighing on my mind.
/ was sent ror 10 see Sir Percival In the
library The Count, who was with HIM
when / went in, Immediately rose and
left us alone together. Sir Percival
civilly asked me TO take seat, ana then,
to my great astonishment. addressed me
I'm these terms:
II want TO speak TO you. Mrs. Michael
con. about a matter which l decided on
some time ago, And which | should have
mentioned before but for the sickness
and trouble In the house. In PLAIN
words, / have reasons for wishing TO
break up my establishment Immediately
at this place--leaving you In charge. OF
course, as usual. As soon as Lady
Gly5e and Miss Halcombe can travel,
they must both have change OF air. My
friends, Count Fosco and the Countess,
Will leave US, before that time. TO live
I'm the neighberhood OF London. And
have reasons for not opening the house
to any more company, with view to
economizjng as carefully as can.
don't blame you. but my expenses here
are a great deal too heavy. In short,
I shall sell the horses and get rid OF all
the servants at once. I never do things
by halves as you know, and I mean to
have the house clear OF a pack OF USE
less people by this time tomorrow
listened 10 him, perfectly aghast with
astontshment.
do you mean. Sir Percival, that l am
TO dismiss the indoor servan nts under my
charge without the usual months warn
ing7" I asked.
Certainly / do. We may all be out
of the house before another month. and
I am not going 10 leave the servants
here in idleness, with no master TO wait
on"
WHO is to do the cooking. Sir Perci-
val, while you are still staying herey
keep her What do I want with a cook,
II I don't mean to give any dinner-par-
ties?''
The servant you have mentioned Is
the most uniutelligent servant in the
house. Sir Percival--"
Keep her. tell you. and have a
woman In from the village to do the
cleaning and go away again. My week
ly expenses must and shall be lowered
Immediately. I don't send for you 10
make objections. Mrs. Michelson-I send
for you to carry out my plans OF econ
omy. Dismiss the whole lazy pack OF
indoor servants tomorrow. except Por-
cher She Is as strong as horse. and
well make her work like a horse"
"You will excuse me for reminding you
Sir Percival that IL the servants go to-
morrow they must have months
wages in lieu OF a months warning
LET themi A months wages saves q
months waste and gluttonly In the SER
wants hail.
This last remark conveyed an aspersior
OF the most offensive kind on my man.
sgement. / had too much self-respect tc
defend myself under so gross an imputa'
ton. Christian consideration for the help.
less position OF Miss Halcombe and Lady
Clyde, and for the serious inconvenience
which my sudden absence might infict OF
them. alone prevented me from resignins
my situation on the spot. rose imme'
diately. II would have lowered me In my
own estimation to have permitted the In
terview TO continue moment longer.
After trST last remark. Sir Percival,
have nothing more 10 say. Your direc'
tions shall be attended to-" Pronounclne
those words I bowed my head with ths
most distant respect. and went out OF the
room.
The next day the servants left in q
body. Sir Percival himself dismissed tho
grooms and stablemen, sending them
with all the horses but one. 10 London
OF the whole domestic establishment
indoors and out. there now remained only
myself. Margaret Porcher. and the gar.
dener. this last living IN his own cottage
and being wanted 10 take care OF the one
horse that remained I'm the stables
With the house left I'm this strange and
lonely condition: with the mistress OF Il
III In her room: with Miss Halcombc still
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