Read "A Fatal Silence, Vol. 2 (of 3)" by Florence Marryat online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
THE WIDOW'S STRATAGEM.
It was about a week after the young Rushtons' return to Deepdale, and the widow and her son were seated at tea together in the parlour of Wavertree Cottage, when they perceived Sarah Brennan at the garden gate. The table was in much the same condition as it used to be at Highbridge Hall before Paula was installed as mistress there. An iron tray, without a cloth, held the teapot and cups and saucers, whilst the bread, bearing greasy marks of butter over it, and the butter plentifully besprinkled with bread crumbs, were set upon the red worsted tablecloth, after the fashion of the lower classes. There was no stint, however, though plenty of vulgarity. Eggs and cream from the Highbridge dairy, and home-made preserves from the Highbridge storeroom -- part of the spoils carried away after the domestic siege -- were engaging the attention of Mrs Rushton and her son, when they perceived Lady Bristowe's companion wrestling with the latch of the gate.