The Elsingham Portrait - By Elizabeth Chater Page 0,56

and face which suggested an exorcism. The old man spoke as one commanding a demon.

Donner’s lip drew back from her teeth in a grimace, half smile, half snarl; she turned, with one furious glance at Kathryn, and walked so quickly from the room that she caught Adrian Bart unprepared. He hurried out after her, embarrassed and resentful.

Newton, who had been hovering in the hallway, shamelessly eavesdropping, got the front door open in time, and watched with satisfaction as the two conspirators went down the walk, quarreling furiously.

Within the room, Kathryn was staring at the Vicar with respect. “You routed her! It was like an exorcism!”

The vicar did not smile. “Kathryn, you did not exaggerate. That is a very evil spirit—arrogant and presumptuous. She hungers and thirsts for power—absolute power over other human beings. She dabbles in forbidden practices. There is the stink of witchcraft about her. And she is not defeated. She will return—reinforced. You must get away from this place at once.”

“But where can I go? I can’t return to Bennet Farm—”

“No, you must get completely out of her sphere of influence. She has controlled the body you now wear, so you will never be safe unless you can face her down yourself—”

“No, no!” Kathryn sobbed, and shook her head in fear.

“Then you must go where she cannot follow. Perhaps London—no! New York! She’d scarcely follow you there!”

While Kathryn was trying frantically to express her reluctance to go to the New York of 1775, Newton came spryly into the parlor, his eyes sparkling. Never in all his years with the Reverend Percy had so many interesting things happened.

“It’s Farmer Bennet here now, sir, to see you and Mistress Radcliffe. He says it’s urgent!”

“Show Mr. Bennet in at once, Newton. God grant it’s not more trouble,” the Vicar said to Kathryn.

As Richard entered the room, his eyes went at once to Kathryn’s face. “Good evening, Kathryn,” he said. “Thankee for seeing me, Father Percy,” he went on. “I’m afraid I’ve brought rather bad news. Elspeth Cameron’s gone daft. She came home from Crofton village full of some wild tale about meeting Kathryn’s mother and—husband,” he colored, then went on, quietly, “I felt I must warn you.”

“The creature has been here already, and I have sent her and her attendant empty away,” said the Vicar sternly. “However, I am convinced she will return. Kathryn must be gotten out of her reach at once. We were trying to think of a suitable place—”

“There’s the farm,” began Richard eagerly, and then shook his head. “Too close to hand. And Elspeth would never keep silent.” He frowned with the effort of concentration. “Wait! I’ve had a message from Maggie. Just before Elspeth came storming in, a groom from the Manor rode over to tell me my sister had come to Elsinghurst and was very anxious to see me. So I think I should take Kathryn there at once.”

“Yes, that would help. It won’t do as a permanent sanctuary, for servants will talk, but it will get Kathryn out of Donner’s ken for tonight. Your sister must help us to think of a safer place.”

Kathryn had regained her color and her composure as she listened. “If Bennet is at the Manor, and has sent for me, that means she has the portrait there also. Don’t you see it’s the perfect refuge for me? I’ll go back to my own time and place!”

The Vicar frowned. “My dear child, how can you hope to accomplish this? You were brought here, I truly believe, through some devilish sorcery of Donner’s. Can you return without having recourse to similar practices?”

Kathryn stared at him, sick with disappointment. “I had thought I might just—look at the picture . . . concentrate . . . and return,” she began miserably.

Richard, unable to bear the desolation on that beautiful face, came to stand beside her. “Let’s get you safe to the Manor. I’ll find a way to alert Maggie and we’ll smuggle you in. It’s such a great barn of a place there’ll be many a room you could hide in for a month, and no one ever discover you.”

Kathryn smiled up into his concerned face. “I’m lucky to have wonderful friends,” she said softly.” I do agree with Father Percy that I should leave soon—”

“You’re right about that, mistress,” said Newton from the doorway. “There’s a gaggle o’ villagers coming up the road—some with torches—and they don’t sound very friendly.” He was holding Kathryn’s cloak in his hands. With a smile and