"
Etta was staring into the fire. It was impossible to say whether she
heard with comprehension or not. Paul went on:
"There is nothing left, therefore, but to go and do good by stealth. I
studied medicine with that view. Steinmetz has scraped and economized
the working of the estate for the same purpose. The Government will not
allow us to have a doctor; they prevent us from organizing relief and
education on anything like an adequate scale. They do it all by
underhand means. They have not the pluck to oppose us openly! For years
we have been doing what we can. We have almost eradicated cholera. They
do not die of starvation now. And they are learning--very slowly, but
still they are learning. We--I--thought you might be interested in your
people; you might want to help."
She gave a short little nod. There was a suggestion of suspense in her
whole being and attitude, as if she were waiting to hear something which
she knew could not be avoided.
"A few years ago," he went on, "a gigantic scheme was set on foot. I
told you a little about it--the Charity League."
Her lips moved, but no sound came from them, so she nodded a second
time. A tiny carriage-clock on the mantel-piece struck seven, and she
looked up in a startled way, as if the sound had frightened her. The
castle was quite still. Silence seemed to brood over the old walls.
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