Jane’s hands were actually trembling.

“Oh no, my lady.  Oh no!  But if Sir Samuel could be sent for, or Lady Maria Bayne, or—­or his lordship—­”

The disturbed expression of Lady Walderhurst’s face changed to something verging on alarm.  It was true that she began to be horribly frightened.  She turned upon Jane, pallor creeping over her skin.

“Oh!” she cried, a sound of almost child-like fear and entreaty in her voice.  “I am sure you think I am ill, I am sure you do.  What—­what is it?”

She leaned forward suddenly and rested her forehead on her hands, her elbows supported by the dressing-table.  She was overcome by a shock of dread.

“Oh! if anything should go wrong!” in a faint half wail; “if anything could happen!” She could not bear the mere thought.  It would break her heart.  She had been so happy.  God had been so good.

Jane was inwardly convulsed with contrition commingled with anger at her own blundering folly.  Now it was she herself who had “upset” her ladyship, given her a fright that made her pale and trembling.  What did she not deserve for being such a thoughtless fool.  She might have known.  She poured forth respectfully affectionate protestations.

“Indeed, I beg your pardon, my lady.  Indeed, it’s only my silliness!  Mother was saying yesterday that she had never seen a lady so well and in as good spirits.  I have no right to be here if I make such mistakes.  Please, my lady—­oh! might mother be allowed to step in a minute to speak to you?”

Emily’s colour came, back gradually.  When Jane went to her mother, Mrs. Cupp almost boxed her ears.

“That’s just the way with girls,” she said.  “No more sense than a pack of cats.  If you can’t keep quiet you’d better just give up.  Of course she’d think you meant they was to be sent for because we was certain she was a dying woman.  Oh my!  Jane Cupp, get away!”

She enjoyed her little interview with Lady Walderhurst greatly.  A woman whose opinion was of value at such a time had the soundest reasons for enjoying herself.  When she returned to her room, she sat and fanned herself with a pocket handkerchief and dealt judicially with Jane.

“What we’ve got to do,” she said, “is to think, and think we will.  Tell her things outright we must not, until we’ve got something sure and proved.  Then we can call on them that’s got the power in their hands.  We can’t call on them till we can show them a thing no one can’t deny.  As to that bridge, it’s old enough to be easy managed, and look accidental if it broke.  You say she ain’t going there to-day.  Well, this very night, as soon as it’s dark enough, you and me will go down and have a look at it.  And what’s more, we’ll take a man with us.  Judd could be trusted.  Worst comes to worst, we’re only taking the liberty of making sure it’s safe, because we know it is old and we’re over careful.”