Lucille’s good looks were not due to cosmetics, Mrs. Meredith conceded to herself as she stood looking down at her. Even in the darkened room the girl’s regular features and beautiful auburn hair which, flying loose, partly covered the pillow, made an attractive picture. Mrs. Meredith laid a cool hand on the girl’s exposed arm, and gave it a gentle shake.
Slowly the handsome eyes opened. Her first glance at the older woman became a stare.
“Good gracious, Cousin Belle, you!” she exclaimed. “And fully dressed. Am I very late? Have I slept the clock around?”
“On the contrary it is very early; only six o’clock.” Mrs. Meredith’s somewhat metallic voice was carefully lowered. “I have distressing news—”
Lucille raised herself upon her elbow, her eyes large with fear.
“What is it? Father—? Oh, Cousin Belle, don’t keep me in suspense.”
“Hush, calm yourself! My news has nothing to do with your immediate family.” Mrs. Meredith was not to be hurried. “Turn up that bed light, Lucille; I cannot talk in the dark.”
Bending sideways the girl pushed the button of the reading lamp. Its adjusted shade threw the light over the bed, but her face remained in shadow. “Go on,” she urged. “Go on!”
“Your Cousin John has—has—committed suicide.”
With a convulsive bound the girl swung herself out of bed.
“W-what?” she stammered. “W-what are you saying? Cousin John a suicide?”
She stared at Mrs. Meredith for a full second. “Did he kill himself?” she asked, in little above a whisper.
Mrs. Meredith nodded. “His dead body was found in the hall near the staircase early this morning,” she said. “It has shocked me unutterably.”
“Cousin John dead! I cannot believe it. It is dreadful.” Lucille spoke as one stunned. She covered her eyes with her hand in an attitude of prayer, then rose and walked over to the windows and raised the shades until the bedroom was flooded with light.
“And Anne?” she questioned. “Has Anne been told?”
“Yes.” Lucille, still with her back to her cousin, felt that the keen eyes watching her were boring a hole through her head. “Doctor McLane broke the news to Anne after he had spoken to me. I fear she is inclined to be hysterical.”
“Poor Anne!” Lucille whirled around with sudden feverish energy. “I will dress at once and go to her.”