However, go, child, take the heads, but leave the amber; it would make thee yellower than thou art; which the blessed Virgin forbid! Good-night!" She kissed her affectionately, and pushed her from the room.
Nevertheless, after a moment's survey of her lonely chamber, she hastily slipped on a pale satin dressing-gown, and, darting across the passage, dashed into the bedroom of the youngest Miss Wilson, haled that sentimental brunette from her night toilet, dragged her into her own chamber, and, enwrapping her in a huge mantle of silk and gray fur, fed her with chocolates and chestnuts, and, reclining on her sympathetic shoulder, continued her arraignment of the world and its follies until nearly daybreak.
It was past noon when Maruja awoke, to find Faquita standing by her bedside with ill-concealed impatience.
"I ventured to awaken the Dona Maruja," she said, with vivacious alacrity, "for news! Terrible news! The American, Dr.West, is found dead this morning in the San Jose road!" "Dr.West dead!" repeated Maruja, thoughtfully, but without emotion.
"Surely dead--very dead.

He was thrown from his horse and dragged by the stirrups--how far, the Blessed Virgin only knows.

But he is found dead--this Dr.West--his foot in the broken stirrup, his hand holding a piece of the bridle! I thought I would waken the Dona Maruja, that no one else should break it to the Dona Maria." "That no one else should break it to my mother ?" repeated Maruja, coldly.

"What mean you, girl ?" "I mean that no stranger should tell her," stammered Faquita, lowering her bold eyes.
"You mean," said Maruja, slowly, "that no silly, staring, tongue-wagging gossip should dare to break upon the morning devotions of the lady mother with open-mouthed tales of horror! You are wise, Faquita! I will tell her myself.

Help me to dress." But the news had already touched the outer shell of the great house, and little groups of the visitors were discussing it upon the veranda.
For once, the idle badinage of a pleasure-seeking existence was suspended; stupid people with facts came to the fore; practical people with inquiring minds became interesting; servants were confidentially appealed to; the local expressman became a hero, and it was even noticed that he was intelligent and good-looking.
"What makes it more distressing," said Raymond, joining one of the groups, "is, that it appears the Doctor visited Mrs.Saltonstall last evening, and left the casa at eleven.