She pressed him for further explanations, which he gave, and to which she listened with a great deal of calmness; nor did many tears, sobs, sighs, or exclamations of sorrow or anger escape from her: only when the Corporal was taking his leave, and said to her point-blank,--"Well, Mrs.Catherine, and what do you intend to do ?" she did not reply a word; but gave a look which made him exclaim, on leaving the room,-- "By heavens! the woman means murder! I would not be the Holofernes to lie by the side of such a Judith as that--not I!" And he went his way, immersed in deep thought.

When the Captain returned at night, she did not speak to him; and when he swore at her for being sulky, she only said she had a headache, and was dreadfully ill; with which excuse Gustavus Adolphus seemed satisfied, and left her to herself.
He saw her the next morning for a moment: he was going a-shooting.
Catherine had no friend, as is usual in tragedies and romances,--no mysterious sorceress of her acquaintance to whom she could apply for poison,--so she went simply to the apothecaries, pretending at each that she had a dreadful toothache, and procuring from them as much laudanum as she thought would suit her purpose.
When she went home again she seemed almost gay.

Mr.Brock complimented her upon the alteration in her appearance; and she was enabled to receive the Captain at his return from shooting in such a manner as made him remark that she had got rid of her sulks of the morning, and might sup with them, if she chose to keep her good-humour.

The supper was got ready, and the gentlemen had the punch-bowl when the cloth was cleared,--Mrs.Catherine, with her delicate hands, preparing the liquor.
It is useless to describe the conversation that took place, or to reckon the number of bowls that were emptied; or to tell how Mr.Trippet, who was one of the guests, and declined to play at cards when some of the others began, chose to remain by Mrs.Catherine's side, and make violent love to her.

All this might be told, and the account, however faithful, would not be very pleasing.