That's a great thought, dom! That would have been sooooo interesting!
Magda thinks that Barn WANTED Trask to know that he had bitten Charity. He protests that he's just unwilling to give up what life he has. Sandor is properly horrified at the idea of digging up Laura Stockbridge Collins, died 1785.
Magda tidies up the cottage so Laura can move in. Her first real find is a deck of tarot cards--then she finds Angelique's little knitted doll (the one she used to choke Rachel Drummond). Laura notes with surprise there are no pins in it. He must be saving it for someone special, Laura comments sarcastically. You, perhaps, madam, Magda suggests with sly irony. Unoffended, Laura says, No, this isn't for me. He's done everything to me he possibly can--and soon I will return the favor. She has Magda read the cards, even though she doesn't believe in them. "La Mort"--Death--keeps turning up. Even though it signifies change rather than death, Laura is upset.
Edward confides in Barn that he doesn't want the school on Collins property. Barn points out that it will keep the kids close by. But Edward says it's really about Laura and asks, How well do you know Laura? I can't honestly answer, Barnabas says (and that’s no lie). You've met my wife--no doubt you found her charming, Edward says stoically. I’m far too old to trust first impressions completely, Barnabas replies dryly. Edward tells the whole story, apparently relieved to have revealed it at last. Barnabas promises to speak to Judith.
Barn takes Laura's portrait to the cottage. Laura is uncomfortably surprised on seeing it, but agrees it's incredible. Come look at it, she urges Magda. I might have sat for it myself! Yes, Barnabas agrees dryly. You must have had a near relative living here one hundred years ago. Either that or many women look like me, suggests Laura. Untrue, although many regret it, Barnabas replies suavely. Pretending to be flattered, she thanks him for the compliment. The more I looks at it, the less I think it resembles me, she says to Magda. Is my chin really that pointy? After Barn leaves, she orders Magda to put it away.
Barn's next stop on this busy night is the mausoleum. He orders Sandor to open Laura's tomb. Sandor complies, but itsn't happy about it. Somehow Laura knows that Sandor is using a hammer and chisel. She runs from the cottage.
Meanwhile, Barnabas opens the coffin, since Sandor refuses. What's inside?
