Welcome back, Clarice Blackburn! Minerva Trask is even more bigoted than Abigail Collins was.
Judith walks in just as Quentin is about to start shaking Laura. I wanted to know how you were, she says to Laura. Rachel told me you were ill. But you seem to have recovered sufficiently to entertain, she adds pointedly. Laura says, Quentin isn’t here on a social call. It involved family business, Quentin adds hastily--not because he’s afraid of Judith’s disapproval but because even the idea that anyone might think he’s still Laura’s lover repels him. He quickly makes an exit. Laura waits only long enough for Judith to get out before she rushes over to the writing desk, opens the top, and takes out the supposedly Egyptian urn, which actually looks either Chinese or Meso-American. Relieved to have it in her hands, she starts rubbing it as if to absorb its warmth. Why does she keep such a big secret in so public a place?
Quentin commissions Magda (GH must have had a few days off) to find the urn. A bit miffed that she can't sell it, she agrees to anyhow.
Rachel tries to talk Laura out of letting the kids go to Trask's school, even revealing that she ran away from it herself. With a man? Laura asks calmly. How did you know? Rachel asks in surprise. Because I know how hard it is for a woman to make her way in this world alone, Laura replies. There was nothing improper, Rachel protests. I don't care about that, Laura says. I have much to do before I move into the cottage. I believe the children could die at that school! Rachel pleads. Without much interest, Laura tells her, You have an interesting imagination. Rachel leaves without another word. Laura drops the dress she is still holding and stares into the fire again. (DM really does a great job with Laura's utter amorality.)
Minerva tells Rachel, The Reverend has always said that pretty people are the devil's playthings! In your case he certainly was proved right. Minerva accuses Rachel not only of theft but also of being an accessory to murder. In fact, she seems to look forward to seeing Rachel hang. But she's looking forward even more to watching Rachel watch Tim and Charity's wedding--an announcement that completely floors poor Rachel. Magda offers to help Rachel but warns that she must be very brave--or she will die.
Judith introduces Minerva and Laura, then leaves to get Rachel. Minerva compliments Laura on her children and adds, My own daughter, Charity, is about to be married to one of our teachers. Obviously bored, Laura makes noncommittal answers, but Minerva is oblivious as she gushes, I think that there is nothing nobler than a man and woman joined together in holy matrimony, going down the path of good works through life. Well, I can't say my marriage was exactly like that, Laura answers dryly, but I do know what you mean. Minerva goes on, Well, giving a daughter in marriage is one of the most marvelous moments in a woman's life. Oh, I am sure you dream of the time when your little one will be grown and married. You dream of that, don't you? Laura answers, No, Mrs. Trask, my dreams for my daughter are quite different. Suddenly, Judith comes out on the landing and announces that Rachel is gone. Minerva looks positively goggle-eyed.
Magda brings Rachel to the mausoleum, where she can hide until Magda can get her a carriage to leave town. Of course Rachel doesn't want to stay in the secret room, but Magda says, One night--that is all. If you don't-- and Reverend Trask finds you--you will have many nights worse than this.
Minerva probably does want to make Rachel's life both a living hell and as short as possible. I agree that she's certainly jealous of Rachel's beauty, but Minerva can always console herself with the thought that the Rev. loves her custards, especially when he's not feeling well.
