Before the Morning

Mrs Purvis, landlady of the Falcon, is chatting to Mary, the maid, about Betty, a village girl recently found by the roadside unconscious and injured. They are also worried over the strange behaviour of Rowe, who has arrived the previous night and who, according to Mr Marvin, the oldest and most respected guest, is afraid. Mr Marvin who also advises Roger, who is having an affair with Lydia Shepley in her husband's absence, that his wisest course is to go away at once; and comforts Grizelda, who has returned after the tragic death of her husband to the place they were most happy. A queer singing is heard, like keening, which Mr Marvin says portends a death in the village before morning. At this Rowe confesses that driving the previous night he knocked down a girl, who must have been Betty, and omitted to stop. They are all anxious because of this singing when Mary rushes in to say that Mr Marvin has suddenly died of heart failiure.