She went upstairs once more; but he was too quick for her—­he heard her outside the door; and when she opened it, she found him in his chair, with his back cunningly turned toward her.  Knowing him too well to attempt any remonstrance, she merely announced the speedy arrival of the warm drink and turned to leave the room.  On her way out, she noticed a table in a corner, with an inkstand and a paper-case on it, and tried, without attracting his attention, to take the writing materials away.  He was too quick for her again.  He asked, angrily, if she doubted his promise.  She put the writing materials back on the table, for fear of offending him, and left the room.

In half an hour more the mixture was ready.  She carried it up to him, foaming and fragrant, in a large tumbler.  “He will sleep after this,” she thought to herself, as she opened the door; “I have made it stronger than usual on purpose.”

He had changed his place.  He was sitting at the table in the corner—­still with his back to her, writing.  This time his quick ears had not served him; this time she caught him in the fact.

“Oh, Mr. Noel!  Mr. Noel!” she said, reproachfully, “what is your promise worth?”

He made no answer.  He was sitting with his left elbow on the table, and with his head resting on his left hand.  His right hand lay back on the paper, with the pen lying loose in it.  “Your drink, Mr. Noel,” she said, in a kinder tone, feeling unwilling to offend him.  He took no notice of her.  She went to the table to rouse him.  Was he deep in thought?

He was dead!

THE END OF THE FIFTH SCENE.

BETWEEN THE SCENES.

PROGRESS OF THE STORY THROUGH THE POST.

I.

From Mrs. Noel Vanstone to Mr. Loscombe.

“Park Terrace, St. John’s Wood, November 5th.

“DEAR SIR—­I came to London yesterday for the purpose of seeing a relative, leaving Mr. Vanstone at Baliol Cottage, and proposing to return to him in the course of the week.  I reached London late last night, and drove to these lodgings, having written to secure accommodation beforehand.

“This morning’s post has brought me a letter from my own maid, whom I left at Baliol Cottage, with instructions to write to me if anything extraordinary took place in my absence.  You will find the girl’s letter inclosed in this.  I have had some experience of her; and I believe she is to be strictly depended on to tell the truth.

“I purposely abstain from troubling you by any useless allusions to myself.  When you have read my maid’s letter, you will understand the shock which the news contained in it has caused me.  I can only repeat that I place implicit belief in her statement.  I am firmly persuaded that my husband’s former housekeeper has found him out, has practiced on his weakness in my absence, and has prevailed on him to make another Will.  From what I know of this woman, I feel no doubt that she has used her influence over Mr. Vanstone to deprive me, if possible, of all future interests in my husband’s fortune.