The house-maid had flown off to circulate the news, and Mary Wells was supporting herself by clutching the door, sick with the sudden blow.
Close as she was, her distress could not have escaped another woman's eye, but Lady Bassett never looked at her.

After the first surprise she had gone into a reverie, and was conjuring up the future to the sound of those church-bells.

She requested Mary to go and tell Sir Charles; but she did not lift her head, even to give this order.
Mary crept away, and knocked at Sir Charles's dressing-room.
"Come in," said Sir Charles, thinking, of course, it was his valet.
Mary Wells just opened the door and held it ajar.

"My lady bids me tell you, sir, the bells are ringing for Mr.Bassett; he's married, and brings her home tonight." A dead silence marked the effect of this announcement on Sir Charles.
Mary Wells waited.
"May Heaven's curse light on that marriage, and no child of theirs ever take my place in this house!" "A-a-men!" said Mary Wells.
"Thank you, sir!" said Sir Charles.

He took her voice for a man's, so deep and guttural was her "A--a--men" with concentrated passion.
She closed the door and crept back to her mistress.
Lady Bassett was seated at her glass, with her hair down and her shoulders bare.