English
June19th.—Theeventsofyesterdaywarnedmetobeready,soonerorlater,tomeettheworst.To-dayisnotyetatanend,andtheworsthascome.
JudgingbytheclosestcalculationoftimethatLauraandIcouldmake,wearrivedattheconclusionthatAnneCatherickmusthaveappearedattheboat-houseathalf-pasttwoo’clockontheafternoonofyesterday.
IaccordinglyarrangedthatLaurashouldjustshowherselfattheluncheon-tableto-day,andshouldthenslipoutatthefirstopportunity,leavingmebehindtopreserveappearances,andtofollowherassoonasIcouldsafelydoso.
Thismodeofproceeding,ifnoobstaclesoccurredtothwartus,wouldenablehertobeattheboat-housebeforehalf-pasttwo,and(whenIleftthetable,inmyturn)wouldtakemetoasafepositionintheplantationbeforethree.
Thechangeintheweather,whichlastnight’swindwarnedustoexpect,camewiththemorning.
ItwasrainingheavilywhenIgotup,anditcontinuedtorainuntiltwelveo’clock—whenthecloudsdispersed,theblueskyappeared,andthesunshoneagainwiththebrightpromiseofafineafternoon.
MyanxietytoknowhowSirPercivalandtheCountwouldoccupytheearlypartofthedaywasbynomeanssetatrest,sofarasSirPercivalwasconcerned,byhisleavingusimmediatelyafterbreakfast,andgoingoutbyhimself,inspiteoftherain.
Heneithertolduswherehewasgoingnorwhenwemightexpecthimback.
Wesawhimpassthebreakfast-roomwindowhastily,withhishighbootsandhiswaterproofcoaton—andthatwasall.
TheCountpassedthemorningquietlyindoors,somepartofitinthelibrary,somepartinthedrawing-room,playingoddsandendsofmusiconthepiano,andhummingtohimself.
Judgingbyappearances,thesentimentalsideofhischaracterwaspersistentlyinclinedtobetrayitselfstill.
Hewassilentandsensitive,andreadytosighandlanguishponderously(asonlyfatmenCANsighandlanguish)onthesmallestprovocation.
Luncheon-timecameandSirPercivaldidnotreturn.
TheCounttookhisfriend’splaceatthetable,plaintivelydevouredthegreaterpartofafruittart,submergedunderawholejugfulofcream,andexplainedthefullmeritoftheachievementtousassoonashehaddone.
“Atasteforsweets,”hesaidinhissoftesttonesandhistenderestmanner,“istheinnocenttasteofwomenandchildren.
Ilovetoshareitwiththem—itisanotherbond,dearladies,betweenyouandme.”
Lauraleftthetableintenminutes’time.Iwassorelytemptedtoaccompanyher.
Butifwehadbothgoneouttogetherwemusthaveexcitedsuspicion,andworsestill,ifweallowedAnneCathericktoseeLaura,accompaniedbyasecondpersonwhowasastrangertoher,weshouldinallprobabilityforfeitherconfidencefromthatmoment,nevertoregainitagain.
Iwaited,therefore,aspatientlyasIcould,untiltheservantcameintoclearthetable.
WhenIquittedtheroom,therewerenosigns,inthehouseoroutofit,ofSirPercival’sreturn.
IlefttheCountwithapieceofsugarbetweenhislips,andtheviciouscockatooscramblinguphiswaistcoattogetatit,whileMadameFosco,sittingoppositetoherhusband,watchedtheproceedingsofhisbirdandhimselfasattentivelyasifshehadneverseenanythingofthesortbeforeinherlife.
OnmywaytotheplantationIkeptcarefullybeyondtherangeofviewfromtheluncheon-roomwindow.Nobodysawmeandnobodyfollowedme.
Itwasthenaquartertothreeo’clockbymywatch.
OnceamongthetreesIwalkedrapidly,untilIhadadvancedmorethanhalf-waythroughtheplantation.
AtthatpointIslackenedmypaceandproceededcautiously,butIsawnoone,andheardnovoices.
BylittleandlittleIcamewithinviewofthebackoftheboat-house—stoppedandlistened—thenwenton,tillIwasclosebehindit,andmusthaveheardanypersonswhoweretalkinginside.
Stillthesilencewasunbroken—stillfarandnearnosignofalivingcreatureappearedanywhere.
Afterskirtingroundbythebackofthebuilding,firstononesideandthenontheother,andmakingnodiscoveries,Iventuredinfrontofit,andfairlylookedin.Theplacewasempty.
Icalled,“Laura!”—atfirstsoftly,thenlouderandlouder.Nooneansweredandnooneappeared.
ForallthatIcouldseeandhear,theonlyhumancreatureintheneighbourhoodofthelakeandtheplantationwasmyself.
Myheartbegantobeatviolently,butIkeptmyresolution,andsearched,firsttheboat-houseandthenthegroundinfrontofit,foranysignswhichmightshowmewhetherLaurahadreallyreachedtheplaceornot.
Nomarkofherpresenceappearedinsidethebuilding,butIfoundtracesofheroutsideit,infootstepsonthesand.
Idetectedthefootstepsoftwopersons—largefootstepslikeaman’s,andsmallfootsteps,which,byputtingmyownfeetintothemandtestingtheirsizeinthatmanner,IfeltcertainwereLaura’s.
Thegroundwasconfusedlymarkedinthiswayjustbeforetheboat-house.
Closeagainstonesideofit,undershelteroftheprojectingroof,Idiscoveredalittleholeinthesand—aholeartificiallymade,beyondadoubt.
Ijustnoticedit,andthenturnedawayimmediatelytotracethefootstepsasfarasIcould,andtofollowthedirectioninwhichtheymightleadme.
Theyledme,startingfromtheleft-handsideoftheboat-house,alongtheedgeofthetrees,adistance,Ishouldthink,ofbetweentwoandthreehundredyards,andthenthesandygroundshowednofurthertraceofthem.
FeelingthatthepersonswhosecourseIwastrackingmustnecessarilyhaveenteredtheplantationatthispoint,Ienteredittoo.
AtfirstIcouldfindnopath,butIdiscoveredoneafterwards,justfaintlytracedamongthetrees,andfollowedit.
Ittookme,forsomedistance,inthedirectionofthevillage,untilIstoppedatapointwhereanotherfoot-trackcrossedit.
Thebramblesgrewthicklyoneithersideofthissecondpath.
Istoodlookingdownit,uncertainwhichwaytotakenext,andwhileIlookedIsawononethornybranchsomefragmentsoffringefromawoman’sshawl.
AcloserexaminationofthefringesatisfiedmethatithadbeentornfromashawlofLaura’s,andIinstantlyfollowedthesecondpath.
Itbroughtmeoutatlast,tomygreatrelief,atthebackofthehouse.
Isaytomygreatrelief,becauseIinferredthatLauramust,forsomeunknownreason,havereturnedbeforemebythisroundaboutway.
Iwentinbythecourt-yardandtheoffices.
ThefirstpersonwhomImetincrossingtheservants’hallwasMrs.Michelson,thehousekeeper.
“Doyouknow,”Iasked,“whetherLadyGlydehascomeinfromherwalkornot?”
“MyladycameinalittlewhileagowithSirPercival,”answeredthehousekeeper.“Iamafraid,MissHalcombe,somethingverydistressinghashappened.”
Myheartsankwithinme.“Youdon’tmeananaccident?”Isaidfaintly.
“No,no—thankGod,noaccident.Butmyladyranup-stairstoherownroomintears,andSirPercivalhasorderedmetogiveFannywarningtoleaveinanhour’stime.”
FannywasLaura’smaid—agoodaffectionategirlwhohadbeenwithherforyears—theonlypersoninthehousewhosefidelityanddevotionwecouldbothdependupon.
“WhereisFanny?”Iinquired.
“Inmyroom,MissHalcombe.Theyoungwomanisquiteovercome,andItoldhertositdownandtrytorecoverherself.”
IwenttoMrs.Michelson’sroom,andfoundFannyinacorner,withherboxbyherside,cryingbitterly.
Shecouldgivemenoexplanationwhateverofhersuddendismissal.
SirPercivalhadorderedthatsheshouldhaveamonth’swages,inplaceofamonth’swarning,andgo.
Noreasonhadbeenassigned—noobjectionhadbeenmadetoherconduct.
Shehadbeenforbiddentoappealtohermistress,forbiddeneventoseeherforamomenttosaygood-bye.
Shewastogowithoutexplanationsorfarewells,andtogoatonce.
Aftersoothingthepoorgirlbyafewfriendlywords,Iaskedwheresheproposedtosleepthatnight.
Sherepliedthatshethoughtofgoingtothelittleinninthevillage,thelandladyofwhichwasarespectablewoman,knowntotheservantsatBlackwaterPark.
Thenextmorning,byleavingearly,shemightgetbacktoherfriendsinCumberlandwithoutstoppinginLondon,whereshewasatotalstranger.
IfeltdirectlythatFanny’sdepartureofferedusasafemeansofcommunicationwithLondonandwithLimmeridgeHouse,ofwhichitmightbeveryimportanttoavailourselves.
Accordingly,Itoldherthatshemightexpecttohearfromhermistressorfrommeinthecourseoftheevening,andthatshemightdependonourbothdoingallthatlayinourpowertohelpher,underthetrialofleavingusforthepresent.
Thosewordssaid,Ishookhandswithherandwentupstairs.
ThedoorwhichledtoLaura’sroomwasthedoorofanante-chamberopeningontothepassage.WhenItriedit,itwasboltedontheinside.
Iknocked,andthedoorwasopenedbythesameheavy,over-grownhousemaidwhoselumpishinsensibilityhadtriedmypatiencesoseverelyonthedaywhenIfoundthewoundeddog.
Ihad,sincethattime,discoveredthathernamewasMargaretPorcher,andthatshewasthemostawkward,slatternly,andobstinateservantinthehouse.
Onopeningthedoorsheinstantlysteppedouttothethreshold,andstoodgrinningatmeinstolidsilence.
“Whydoyoustandthere?”Isaid.“Don’tyouseethatIwanttocomein?”
“Ah,butyoumustn’tcomein,”wastheanswer,withanotherandabroadergrinstill.
“Howdareyoutalktomeinthatway?Standbackinstantly!”
Shestretchedoutagreatredhandandarmoneachsideofher,soastobarthedoorway,andslowlynoddedheraddleheadatme.
“Master’sorders,”shesaid,andnoddedagain.
Ihadneedofallmyself-controltowarnmeagainstcontestingthematterwithHER,andtoremindmethatthenextwordsIhadtosaymustbeaddressedtohermaster.
Iturnedmybackonher,andinstantlywentdownstairstofindhim.
MyresolutiontokeepmytemperunderalltheirritationsthatSirPercivalcouldofferwas,bythistime,ascompletelyforgotten—Isaysotomyshame—asifIhadnevermadeit.
Itdidmegood,afterallIhadsufferedandsuppressedinthathouse—itactuallydidmegoodtofeelhowangryIwas.
Thedrawing-roomandthebreakfast-roomwerebothempty.
Iwentontothelibrary,andthereIfoundSirPercival,theCount,andMadameFosco.
Theywereallthreestandingup,closetogether,andSirPercivalhadalittleslipofpaperinhishand.
AsIopenedthedoorIheardtheCountsaytohim,“No—athousandtimesover,no.”
Iwalkedstraightuptohim,andlookedhimfullintheface.
“AmItounderstand,SirPercival,thatyourwife’sroomisaprison,andthatyourhousemaidisthegaolerwhokeepsit?”Iasked.
“Yes,thatiswhatyouaretounderstand,”heanswered.“Takecaremygaolerhasn’tgotdoubledutytodo—takecareyourroomisnotaprisontoo.”
“TakeYOUcarehowyoutreatyourwife,andhowyouthreatenME,”Ibrokeoutintheheatofmyanger.
“TherearelawsinEnglandtoprotectwomenfromcrueltyandoutrage.
IfyouhurtahairofLaura’shead,ifyoudaretointerferewithmyfreedom,comewhatmay,tothoselawsIwillappeal.”
InsteadofansweringmeheturnedroundtotheCount.
“WhatdidItellyou?”heasked.“Whatdoyousaynow?”
“WhatIsaidbefore,”repliedtheCount—“No.”
EveninthevehemenceofmyangerIfelthiscalm,cold,greyeyesonmyface.
Theyturnedawayfrommeassoonashehadspoken,andlookedsignificantlyathiswife.
MadameFoscoimmediatelymovedclosetomyside,andinthatpositionaddressedSirPercivalbeforeeitherofuscouldspeakagain.
“Favourmewithyourattentionforonemoment,”shesaid,inherclearicily-suppressedtones.
“Ihavetothankyou,SirPercival,foryourhospitality,andtodeclinetakingadvantageofitanylonger.
IremaininnohouseinwhichladiesaretreatedasyourwifeandMissHalcombehavebeentreatedhereto-day!”
SirPercivaldrewbackastep,andstaredatherindeadsilence.
Thedeclarationhehadjustheard—adeclarationwhichhewellknew,asIwellknew,MadameFoscowouldnothaveventuredtomakewithoutherhusband’spermission—seemedtopetrifyhimwithsurprise.
TheCountstoodby,andlookedathiswifewiththemostenthusiasticadmiration.
“Sheissublime!”hesaidtohimself.
Heapproachedherwhilehespoke,anddrewherhandthroughhisarm.
“Iamatyourservice,Eleanor,”hewenton,withaquietdignitythatIhadnevernoticedinhimbefore.
“AndatMissHalcombe’sservice,ifshewillhonourmebyacceptingalltheassistanceIcanofferher.”
“Damnit!whatdoyoumean?”criedSirPercival,astheCountquietlymovedawaywithhiswifetothedoor.
“AtothertimesImeanwhatIsay,butatthistimeImeanwhatmywifesays,”repliedtheimpenetrableItalian.“Wehavechangedplaces,Percival,foronce,andMadameFosco’sopinionis—mine.”
SirPercivalcrumpledupthepaperinhishand,andpushingpasttheCount,withanotheroath,stoodbetweenhimandthedoor.
“Haveyourownway,”hesaid,withbaffledrageinhislow,half-whisperingtones.“Haveyourownway—andseewhatcomesofit.”Withthosewordshelefttheroom.
MadameFoscoglancedinquiringlyatherhusband.“Hehasgoneawayverysuddenly,”shesaid.“Whatdoesitmean?”
“ItmeansthatyouandItogetherhavebroughttheworst-temperedmaninallEnglandtohissenses,”answeredtheCount.
“Itmeans,MissHalcombe,thatLadyGlydeisrelievedfromagrossindignity,andyoufromtherepetitionofanunpardonableinsult.
Suffermetoexpressmyadmirationofyourconductandyourcourageataverytryingmoment.”
“Sincereadmiration,”suggestedMadameFosco.
“Sincereadmiration,”echoedtheCount.
Ihadnolongerthestrengthofmyfirstangryresistancetooutrageandinjurytosupportme.
Myheart-sickanxietytoseeLaura,mysenseofmyownhelplessignoranceofwhathadhappenedattheboat-house,pressedonmewithanintolerableweight.
ItriedtokeepupappearancesbyspeakingtotheCountandhiswifeinthetonewhichtheyhadchosentoadoptinspeakingtome,butthewordsfailedonmylips—mybreathcameshortandthick—myeyeslookedlongingly,insilence,atthedoor.
TheCount,understandingmyanxiety,openedit,wentout,andpulledittoafterhim.
AtthesametimeSirPercival’sheavystepdescendedthestairs.
Iheardthemwhisperingtogetheroutside,whileMadameFoscowasassuringme,inhercalmestandmostconventionalmanner,thatsherejoiced,foralloursakes,thatSirPercival’sconducthadnotobligedherhusbandandherselftoleaveBlackwaterPark.
Beforeshehaddonespeakingthewhisperingceased,thedooropened,andtheCountlookedin.
“MissHalcombe,”hesaid,“IamhappytoinformyouthatLadyGlydeismistressagaininherownhouse.
IthoughtitmightbemoreagreeabletoyoutohearofthischangeforthebetterfrommethanfromSirPercival,andIhavethereforeexpresslyreturnedtomentionit.”
“Admirabledelicacy!”saidMadameFosco,payingbackherhusband’stributeofadmirationwiththeCount’sowncoin,intheCount’sownmanner.
Hesmiledandbowedasifhehadreceivedaformalcomplimentfromapolitestranger,anddrewbacktoletmepassoutfirst.
SirPercivalwasstandinginthehall.AsIhurriedtothestairsIheardhimcallimpatientlytotheCounttocomeoutofthelibrary.
“Whatareyouwaitingtherefor?”hesaid.“Iwanttospeaktoyou.”
“AndIwanttothinkalittlebymyself,”repliedtheother.“Waittilllater,Percival,waittilllater.”
Neitherhenorhisfriendsaidanymore.
Igainedthetopofthestairsandranalongthepassage.
InmyhasteandmyagitationIleftthedooroftheante-chamberopen,butIclosedthedoorofthebedroomthemomentIwasinsideit.
Laurawassittingaloneatthefarendoftheroom,herarmsrestingwearilyonatable,andherfacehiddeninherhands.Shestartedupwithacryofdelightwhenshesawme.
“Howdidyougethere?”sheasked.“Whogaveyouleave?NotSirPercival?”
Inmyoverpoweringanxietytohearwhatshehadtotellme,Icouldnotanswerher—Icouldonlyputquestionsonmyside.
Laura’seagernesstoknowwhathadpasseddownstairsproved,however,toostrongtoberesisted.
Shepersistentlyrepeatedherinquiries.
“TheCount,ofcourse,”Iansweredimpatiently.“Whoseinfluenceinthehouse——”
Shestoppedmewithagestureofdisgust.
“Don’tspeakofhim,”shecried.“TheCountisthevilestcreaturebreathing!TheCountisamiserableSpy——!”
Beforewecouldeitherofussayanotherwordwewerealarmedbyasoftknockingatthedoorofthebedroom.
Ihadnotyetsatdown,andIwentfirsttoseewhoitwas.WhenIopenedthedoorMadameFoscoconfrontedmewithmyhandkerchiefinherhand.
“Youdroppedthisdownstairs,MissHalcombe,”shesaid,“andIthoughtIcouldbringittoyou,asIwaspassingbytomyownroom.”
Herface,naturallypale,hadturnedtosuchaghastlywhitenessthatIstartedatthesightofit.
Herhands,sosureandsteadyatallothertimes,trembledviolently,andhereyeslookedwolfishlypastmethroughtheopendoor,andfixedonLaura.
Shehadbeenlisteningbeforesheknocked!Isawitinherwhiteface,Isawitinhertremblinghands,IsawitinherlookatLaura.
Afterwaitinganinstantsheturnedfrommeinsilence,andslowlywalkedaway.
Iclosedthedooragain.“Oh,Laura!Laura!WeshallbothruethedaywhenyoucalledtheCountaSpy!”
“Youwouldhavecalledhimsoyourself,Marian,ifyouhadknownwhatIknow.AnneCatherickwasright.Therewasathirdpersonwatchingusintheplantationyesterday,andthatthirdperson—-”
“AreyousureitwastheCount?”
“Iamabsolutelycertain.HewasSirPercival’sspy—hewasSirPercival’sinformer—hesetSirPercivalwatchingandwaiting,allthemorningthrough,forAnneCatherickandforme.”
“IsAnnefound?Didyouseeheratthelake?”
“No.Shehassavedherselfbykeepingawayfromtheplace.WhenIgottotheboat-housenoonewasthere.”
“Yes?Yes?”
“Iwentinandsatwaitingforafewminutes.
Butmyrestlessnessmademegetupagain,towalkaboutalittle.
AsIpassedoutIsawsomemarksonthesand,closeunderthefrontoftheboat-house.
Istoopeddowntoexaminethem,anddiscoveredawordwritteninlargelettersonthesand.Thewordwas—LOOK.
“Andyouscrapedawaythesand,anddugahollowplaceinit?”
“Howdoyouknowthat,Marian?”
“IsawthehollowplacemyselfwhenIfollowedyoutotheboat-house.Goon—goon!”
“Yes,Iscrapedawaythesandonthesurface,andinalittlewhileIcametoastripofpaperhiddenbeneath,whichhadwritingonit.ThewritingwassignedwithAnneCatherick’sinitials.
“Whereisit?”
“SirPercivalhastakenitfromme.”
“Canyourememberwhatthewritingwas?Doyouthinkyoucanrepeatittome?”
“InsubstanceIcan,Marian.Itwasveryshort.Youwouldhaverememberedit,wordforword.”
“Trytotellmewhatthesubstancewasbeforewegoanyfurther.”
Shecomplied.Iwritethelinesdownhereexactlyassherepeatedthemtome.Theyranthus—
“Iwasseenwithyou,yesterday,byatall,stoutoldman,andhadtoruntosavemyself.
Hewasnotquickenoughonhisfeettofollowme,andhelostmeamongthetrees.
Idarenotriskcomingbackhereto-dayatthesametime.
Iwritethis,andhideitinthesand,atsixinthemorning,totellyouso.
Whenwespeaknextofyourwickedhusband’sSecretwemustspeaksafely,ornotatall.Trytohavepatience.
Ipromiseyoushallseemeagainandthatsoon.—A.C.”
Thereferencetothe“tall,stoutoldman”(thetermsofwhichLaurawascertainthatshehadrepeatedtomecorrectly)leftnodoubtastowhotheintruderhadbeen.
IcalledtomindthatIhadtoldSirPercival,intheCount’spresencethedaybefore,thatLaurahadgonetotheboat-housetolookforherbrooch.
Inallprobabilityhehadfollowedherthere,inhisofficiousway,torelievehermindaboutthematterofthesignature,immediatelyafterhehadmentionedthechangeinSirPercival’splanstomeinthedrawing-room.
Inthiscasehecouldonlyhavegottotheneighbourhoodoftheboat-houseattheverymomentwhenAnneCatherickdiscoveredhim.
ThesuspiciouslyhurriedmannerinwhichshepartedfromLaurahadnodoubtpromptedhisuselessattempttofollowher.
Oftheconversationwhichhadpreviouslytakenplacebetweenthemhecouldhaveheardnothing.
Thedistancebetweenthehouseandthelake,andthetimeatwhichheleftmeinthedrawing-room,ascomparedwiththetimeatwhichLauraandAnneCatherickhadbeenspeakingtogether,provedthatfacttousatanyrate,beyondadoubt.
Havingarrivedatsomethinglikeaconclusionsofar,mynextgreatinterestwastoknowwhatdiscoveriesSirPercivalhadmadeafterCountFoscohadgivenhimhisinformation.
“Howcameyoutolosepossessionoftheletter?”Iasked.“Whatdidyoudowithitwhenyoufounditinthesand?”
“Afterreadingitoncethrough,”shereplied,“Itookitintotheboat-housewithmetositdownandlookoveritasecondtime.
WhileIwasreadingashadowfellacrossthepaper.
Ilookedup,andsawSirPercivalstandinginthedoorwaywatchingme.”
“Didyoutrytohidetheletter?”
“Itried,buthestoppedme.‘Youneedn’ttroubletohidethat,’hesaid.‘Ihappentohavereadit.’
Icouldonlylookathimhelplessly—Icouldsaynothing.‘Youunderstand?’hewenton;‘Ihavereadit.
Idugitupoutofthesandtwohourssince,andburieditagain,andwrotethewordaboveitagain,andleftitreadytoyourhands.
Youcan’tlieyourselfoutofthescrapenow.
YousawAnneCatherickinsecretyesterday,andyouhavegotherletterinyourhandatthismoment.
IhavenotcaughtHERyet,butIhavecaughtYOU.Givemetheletter.’
Hesteppedcloseuptome—Iwasalonewithhim,Marian—whatcouldIdo?—Igavehimtheletter.”
“Whatdidhesaywhenyougaveittohim?”
“Atfirsthesaidnothing.Hetookmebythearm,andledmeoutoftheboat-house,andlookedabouthimonallsides,asifhewasafraidofourbeingseenorheard.
Thenheclaspedhishandfastroundmyarm,andwhisperedtome,‘WhatdidAnneCathericksaytoyouyesterday?
Iinsistonhearingeveryword,fromfirsttolast.’”
“Didyoutellhim?”
“Iwasalonewithhim,Marian—hiscruelhandwasbruisingmyarm—whatcouldIdo?”
“Isthemarkonyourarmstill?Letmeseeit.”
“Whydoyouwanttoseeit?”
“Iwanttoseeit,Laura,becauseourendurancemustend,andourresistancemustbeginto-day.
Thatmarkisaweapontostrikehimwith.
Letmeseeitnow—Imayhavetosweartoitatsomefuturetime.”
“Oh,Marian,don’tlookso—don’ttalkso!Itdoesn’thurtmenow!”
“Letmeseeit!”
Sheshowedmethemarks.Iwaspastgrievingoverthem,pastcryingoverthem,pastshudderingoverthem.
Theysayweareeitherbetterthanmen,orworse.
Ifthetemptationthathasfalleninsomewomen’sway,andmadethemworse,hadfalleninmineatthatmomentThankGod!
myfacebetrayednothingthathiswifecouldread.
Thegentle,innocent,affectionatecreaturethoughtIwasfrightenedforherandsorryforher,andthoughtnomore.
“Don’tthinktooseriouslyofit,Marian,”shesaidsimply,asshepulledhersleevedownagain.“Itdoesn’thurtmenow.”
“Iwilltrytothinkquietlyofit,mylove,foryoursake.—Well!well!AndyoutoldhimallthatAnneCatherickhadsaidtoyou—allthatyoutoldme?”
“Yes,all.Heinsistedonit—Iwasalonewithhim—Icouldconcealnothing.”
“Didhesayanythingwhenyouhaddone?”
“Helookedatme,andlaughedtohimselfinamocking,bitterway.
‘Imeantohavetherestoutofyou,’hesaid,‘doyouhear?—therest.’
IdeclaredtohimsolemnlythatIhadtoldhimeverythingIknew.
‘Notyou,’heanswered,‘youknowmorethanyouchoosetotell.Won’tyoutellit?Youshall!
I’llwringitoutofyouathomeifIcan’twringitoutofyouhere.’
Heledmeawaybyastrangepaththroughtheplantation—apathwheretherewasnohopeofourmeetingyou—andhespokenomoretillwecamewithinsightofthehouse.
Thenhestoppedagain,andsaid,‘Willyoutakeasecondchance,ifIgiveittoyou?
Willyouthinkbetterofit,andtellmetherest?’
IcouldonlyrepeatthesamewordsIhadspokenbefore.
Hecursedmyobstinacy,andwenton,andtookmewithhimtothehouse.
‘Youcan’tdeceiveme,’hesaid,‘youknowmorethanyouchoosetotell.
I’llhaveyoursecretoutofyou,andI’llhaveitoutofthatsisterofyoursaswell.
Thereshallbenomoreplottingandwhisperingbetweenyou.
Neitheryounorsheshallseeeachotheragaintillyouhaveconfessedthetruth.
I’llhaveyouwatchedmorning,noon,andnight,tillyouconfessthetruth.’HewasdeaftoeverythingIcouldsay.
Hetookmestraightupstairsintomyownroom.
Fannywassittingthere,doingsomeworkforme,andheinstantlyorderedherout.
‘I’lltakegoodcareYOU’REnotmixedupintheconspiracy,’hesaid.‘Youshallleavethishouseto-day.
Ifyourmistresswantsamaid,sheshallhaveoneofmychoosing.’
Hepushedmeintotheroom,andlockedthedooronme.
Hesetthatsenselesswomantowatchmeoutside,Marian!Helookedandspokelikeamadman.
Youmayhardlyunderstandit—hedidindeed.”
“Idounderstandit,Laura.Heismad—madwiththeterrorsofaguiltyconscience.
EverywordyouhavesaidmakesmepositivelycertainthatwhenAnneCatherickleftyouyesterdayyouwereontheeveofdiscoveringasecretwhichmighthavebeenyourvilehusband’sruin,andhethinksyouHAVEdiscoveredit.
Nothingyoucansayordowillquietthatguiltydistrust,andconvincehisfalsenatureofyourtruth.
Idon’tsaythis,mylove,toalarmyou.
Isayittoopenyoureyestoyourposition,andtoconvinceyouoftheurgentnecessityoflettingmeact,asIbestcan,foryourprotectionwhilethechanceisourown.
CountFosco’sinterferencehassecuredmeaccesstoyouto-day,buthemaywithdrawthatinterferenceto-morrow.
SirPercivalhasalreadydismissedFannybecausesheisaquick-wittedgirl,anddevotedlyattachedtoyou,andhaschosenawomantotakeherplacewhocaresnothingforyourinterests,andwhosedullintelligencelowershertothelevelofthewatch-dogintheyard.
Itisimpossibletosaywhatviolentmeasureshemaytakenext,unlesswemakethemostofouropportunitieswhilewehavethem.”
“Whatcanwedo,Marian?Oh,ifwecouldonlyleavethishouse,nevertoseeitagain!”
“Listentome,mylove,andtrytothinkthatyouarenotquitehelplesssolongasIamherewithyou.”
“Iwillthinkso—Idothinkso.Don’taltogetherforgetpoorFannyinthinkingofme.Shewantshelpandcomforttoo.”
“Iwillnotforgether.IsawherbeforeIcameuphere,andIhavearrangedtocommunicatewithherto-night.
Lettersarenotsafeinthepost-bagatBlackwaterPark,andIshallhavetwotowriteto-day,inyourinterests,whichmustpassthroughnohandsbutFanny’s.”
“Whatletters?”
“Imeantowritefirst,Laura,toMr.Gilmore’spartner,whohasofferedtohelpusinanyfreshemergency.
LittleasIknowofthelaw,Iamcertainthatitcanprotectawomanfromsuchtreatmentasthatruffianhasinflictedonyouto-day.
IwillgointonodetailsaboutAnneCatherick,becauseIhavenocertaininformationtogive.
Butthelawyershallknowofthosebruisesonyourarm,andoftheviolenceofferedtoyouinthisroom—heshall,beforeIrestto-night!”
“Butthinkoftheexposure,Marian!”
“Iamcalculatingontheexposure.SirPercivalhasmoretodreadfromitthanyouhave.Theprospectofanexposuremaybringhimtotermswhennothingelsewill.”
IroseasIspoke,butLauraentreatedmenottoleaveher.“Youwilldrivehimtodesperation,”shesaid,“andincreaseourdangerstenfold.”
Ifeltthetruth—thedishearteningtruth—ofthosewords.
ButIcouldnotbringmyselfplainlytoacknowledgeittoher.
Inourdreadfulpositiontherewasnohelpandnohopeforusbutinriskingtheworst.Isaidsoinguardedterms.
Shesighedbitterly,butdidnotcontestthematter.
SheonlyaskedaboutthesecondletterthatIhadproposedwriting.Towhomwasittobeaddressed?
“ToMr.Fairlie,”Isaid.“Youruncleisyournearestmalerelative,andtheheadofthefamily.Hemustandshallinterfere.”
Laurashookherheadsorrowfully.
“Yes,yes,”Iwenton,“youruncleisaweak,selfish,worldlyman,Iknow,butheisnotSirPercivalGlyde,andhehasnosuchfriendabouthimasCountFosco.
Iexpectnothingfromhiskindnessorhistendernessoffeelingtowardsyouortowardsme,buthewilldoanythingtopamperhisownindolence,andtosecurehisownquiet.
Letmeonlypersuadehimthathisinterferenceatthismomentwillsavehiminevitabletroubleandwretchednessandresponsibilityhereafter,andhewillbestirhimselfforhisownsake.
Iknowhowtodealwithhim,Laura—Ihavehadsomepractice.”
“IfyoucouldonlyprevailonhimtoletmegobacktoLimmeridgeforalittlewhileandstaytherequietlywithyou,Marian,IcouldbealmostashappyagainasIwasbeforeIwasmarried!”
Thosewordssetmethinkinginanewdirection.
WoulditbepossibletoplaceSirPercivalbetweenthetwoalternativesofeitherexposinghimselftothescandaloflegalinterferenceonhiswife’sbehalf,orofallowinghertobequietlyseparatedfromhimforatimeunderpretextofavisittoheruncle’shouse?
Andcouldhe,inthatcase,bereckonedonaslikelytoacceptthelastresource?Itwasdoubtful—morethandoubtful.
Andyet,hopelessastheexperimentseemed,surelyitwasworthtrying.
Iresolvedtotryitinsheerdespairofknowingwhatbettertodo.
“Youruncleshallknowthewishyouhavejustexpressed,”Isaid,“andIwillaskthelawyer’sadviceonthesubjectaswell.Goodmaycomeofit—andwillcomeofit,Ihope.”
SayingthatIroseagain,andagainLauratriedtomakemeresumemyseat.
“Don’tleaveme,”shesaiduneasily.“Mydeskisonthattable.Youcanwritehere.”
Ittriedmetothequicktorefuseher,eveninherowninterests.
Butwehadbeentoolongshutupalonetogetheralready.
Ourchanceofseeingeachotheragainmightentirelydependonournotexcitinganyfreshsuspicions.
Itwasfulltimetoshowmyself,quietlyandunconcernedly,amongthewretcheswhowereatthatverymoment,perhaps,thinkingofusandtalkingofusdownstairs.
IexplainedthemiserablenecessitytoLaura,andprevailedonhertorecogniseitasIdid.
“Iwillcomebackagain,love,inanhourorless,”Isaid.“Theworstisoverforto-day.Keepyourselfquietandfearnothing.”
“Isthekeyinthedoor,Marian?CanIlockitontheinside?”
“Yes,hereisthekey.Lockthedoor,andopenittonobodyuntilIcomeupstairsagain.”
Ikissedherandlefther.ItwasarelieftomeasIwalkedawaytohearthekeyturnedinthelock,andtoknowthatthedoorwasatherowncommand.
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