She sent for little Mrs.Osborn and her child, and was tender goodness itself to them.
Hester had been in England four years, and Lord Oswyth had a brother as robust as himself, when one heavenly summer afternoon, as the two women sat on the lawn drinking little cups of tea, Hester made a singular revelation, and made it without moving a muscle of her small countenance.
"I always intended to tell you, Emily," she began quietly, "and I will tell you now." "What, dear ?" said Emily, holding out to her a plate of tiny buttered scones.

"Have some of these nice, little hot ones." "Thank you." Hester took one of the nice, little hot ones, but did not begin to eat it.

Instead, she held it untouched and let her eyes rest on the brilliant flower terraces spread out below.

"What I meant to tell you was this.

The gun was not loaded, the gun Alec shot himself with, when he laid it aside." Emily put down her tea-cup hastily.
"I saw him take out the charge myself two hours before.