I saw her laugh and sob like a maniac, and, God help us! that's what she's been ever since." The two men were silent.

Middleton had raised his voice, speaking with fierce excitement.

It was obvious that he had only paused for breath.

He had more to say.
"I was by your side, Squire," he went on, "when her ladyship caught up the knife and ran at you, and, as you well know, it was I, seizing her from behind, that saved a double tragedy that night, and it was I who went for the doctor the next morning, when she'd stolen into your room in the night and missed your throat by a bare inch.

I heard her call to you, heard her threat.