IX
　　On their arrival at Gull's Point, Hurstall came out into the hall and spoke¹ to Mary.
　　"Would you go up at once to her ladyship. Miss? She is feeling very upset and wanted to see you as soon as you got in."Mary hurried up the stairs. She found Lady Tressilian looking white and shaken.
　　"Dear Mary, I'm so glad you have come. I am feeling most distressed². Poor Mr. Treves is dead.""Dead?"
　　"Yes, isn't it terrible? So sudden. Apparently⁴ he didn't even get undressed last night. He must have collapsed⁵ as soon as he got home.""Oh, dear, I am sorry."
　　"One knows, of course, that he was delicate. A weak heart. I hope nothing happened while he was here to overstrain it? There was nothing indigestible for dinner?""I don't think so - no, I am sure there wasn't. He seemed quite well and in good spirits.""I am really very distressed. I wish, Mary, that you would go to the Balmoral Court and make a few inquiries⁶ of Mrs. Rogers. Ask her if there is anything we can do. And then the funeral. For Matthew's sake I would like to do anything we could. These things are so awkward at a hotel."Mary spoke firmly.
　　"Dear Camilla, you really must not worry. This has been a shock to you.""Indeed it has."
　　"I will go to the Balmoral Court at once and then come back and tell you all about things.""Thank you, Mary dear; you are always so practical and understanding." "Please try and rest now. A shock of this kind is so bad for you."Mary Aldin left the room and came downstairs. Entering the drawing-room she exclaimed: "Old Mr. Treves is dead. He died last night after returning home.""Poor old boy," exclaimed Nevile. "What was it?""Heart, apparently. He collapsed as soon as he got in."Thomas Royde said thoughtfully: "I wonder if the stairs did him in?""Stairs?" Mary looked at him inquiringly.
　　"Yes. When Latimer and I left him he was just starting up. We told him to take it slow."Mary exclaimed: "But how very foolish of him not to take the lift.""The lift was out of order."

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