Abroad the snow fell and froze upon the ground.
Three days later Alice Mutimer, as she sat at breakfast, was told that a visitor named Mrs.Clay desired to see her.

It was nearly ten o'clock; Alice had no passion for early rising, and since her mother's retirement from the common table she breakfasted alone at any hour which seemed good to her.

'Arry always--or nearly always--left the house at eight o'clock.
Mrs.Clay was introduced into the dining-room.

Alice received her with an anxious face, for she was anticipating trouble from the house in Wilton Square.

But the trouble was other than she had in mind.
'Jane died at four o'clock this morning,' the visitor began, without agitation, in the quick, unsympathetic voice which she always used when her equanimity was in any way disturbed.