English
June19th.—Oncesafelyshutintomyownroom,Iopenedthesepages,andpreparedtogoonwiththatpartoftheday’srecordwhichwasstilllefttowrite.
FortenminutesormoreIsatidle,withthepeninmyhand,thinkingovertheeventsofthelasttwelvehours.
WhenIatlastaddressedmyselftomytask,IfoundadifficultyinproceedingwithitwhichIhadneverexperiencedbefore.
Inspiteofmyeffortstofixmythoughtsonthematterinhand,theywanderedawaywiththestrangestpersistencyintheonedirectionofSirPercivalandtheCount,andalltheinterestwhichItriedtoconcentrateonmyjournalcentredinsteadinthatprivateinterviewbetweenthemwhichhadbeenputoffallthroughtheday,andwhichwasnowtotakeplaceinthesilenceandsolitudeofthenight.
Inthisperversestateofmymind,therecollectionofwhathadpassedsincethemorningwouldnotcomebacktome,andtherewasnoresourcebuttoclosemyjournalandtogetawayfromitforalittlewhile.
Iopenedthedoorwhichledfrommybedroomintomysitting-room,andhavingpassedthrough,pulledittoagain,topreventanyaccidentincaseofdraughtwiththecandleleftonthedressing-table.
Mysitting-roomwindowwaswideopen,andIleanedoutlistlesslytolookatthenight.
Itwasdarkandquiet.Neithermoonnorstarswerevisible.
Therewasasmelllikeraininthestill,heavyair,andIputmyhandoutofwindow.No.
Therainwasonlythreatening,ithadnotcomeyet.
Iremainedleaningonthewindow-sillfornearlyaquarterofanhour,lookingoutabsentlyintotheblackdarkness,andhearingnothing,exceptnowandthenthevoicesoftheservants,orthedistantsoundofaclosingdoor,inthelowerpartofthehouse.
JustasIwasturningawaywearilyfromthewindowtogobacktothebedroomandmakeasecondattempttocompletetheunfinishedentryinmyjournal,Ismelttheodouroftobacco-smokestealingtowardsmeontheheavynightair.
ThenextmomentIsawatinyredsparkadvancingfromthefartherendofthehouseinthepitchdarkness.
Iheardnofootsteps,andIcouldseenothingbutthespark.
Ittravelledalonginthenight,passedthewindowatwhichIwasstanding,andstoppedoppositemybedroomwindow,insidewhichIhadleftthelightburningonthedressing-table.
Thesparkremainedstationaryforamoment,thenmovedbackagaininthedirectionfromwhichithadadvanced.
AsIfolloweditsprogressIsawasecondredspark,largerthanthefirst,approachingfromthedistance.Thetwomettogetherinthedarkness.
Rememberingwhosmokedcigarettesandwhosmokedcigars,IinferredimmediatelythattheCounthadcomeoutfirsttolookandlistenundermywindow,andthatSirPercivalhadafterwardsjoinedhim.
Theymustbothhavebeenwalkingonthelawn—orIshouldcertainlyhaveheardSirPercival’sheavyfootfall,thoughtheCount’ssoftstepmighthaveescapedme,evenonthegravelwalk.
Iwaitedquietlyatthewindow,certainthattheycouldneitherofthemseemeinthedarknessoftheroom.
“What’sthematter?”IheardSirPercivalsayinalowvoice.“Whydon’tyoucomeinandsitdown?”
“Iwanttoseethelightoutofthatwindow,”repliedtheCountsoftly.
“Whatharmdoesthelightdo?”
“Itshowssheisnotinbedyet.Sheissharpenoughtosuspectsomething,andboldenoughtocomedownstairsandlisten,ifshecangetthechance.Patience,Percival—patience.”
“Humbug!You’realwaystalkingofpatience.”
“Ishalltalkofsomethingelsepresently.
Mygoodfriend,youareontheedgeofyourdomesticprecipice,andifIletyougivethewomenoneotherchance,onmysacredwordofhonourtheywillpushyouoverit!”
“Whatthedevildoyoumean?”
“Wewillcometoourexplanations,Percival,whenthelightisoutofthatwindow,andwhenIhavehadonelittlelookattheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary,andapeepatthestaircaseaswell.”
Theyslowlymovedaway,andtherestoftheconversationbetweenthem(whichhadbeenconductedthroughoutinthesamelowtones)ceasedtobeaudible.Itwasnomatter.
IhadheardenoughtodeterminemeonjustifyingtheCount’sopinionofmysharpnessandmycourage.
BeforetheredsparkswereoutofsightinthedarknessIhadmadeupmymindthatthereshouldbealistenerwhenthosetwomensatdowntotheirtalk—andthatthelistener,inspiteofalltheCount’sprecautionstothecontrary,shouldbemyself.
Iwantedbutonemotivetosanctiontheacttomyownconscience,andtogivemecourageenoughforperformingit—andthatmotiveIhad.
Laura’shonour,Laura’shappiness—Laura’slifeitself—mightdependonmyquickearsandmyfaithfulmemoryto-night.
IhadheardtheCountsaythathemeanttoexaminetheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary,andthestaircaseaswell,beforeheenteredonanyexplanationwithSirPercival.
Thisexpressionofhisintentionswasnecessarilysufficienttoinformmethatthelibrarywastheroominwhichheproposedthattheconversationshouldtakeplace.
Theonemomentoftimewhichwaslongenoughtobringmetothatconclusionwasalsothemomentwhichshowedmeameansofbafflinghisprecautions—or,inotherwords,ofhearingwhatheandSirPercivalsaidtoeachother,withouttheriskofdescendingatallintothelowerregionsofthehouse.
InspeakingoftheroomsonthegroundfloorIhavementionedincidentallytheverandahoutsidethem,onwhichtheyallopenedbymeansofFrenchwindows,extendingfromthecornicetothefloor.
Thetopofthisverandahwasflat,therain-waterbeingcarriedofffromitbypipesintotankswhichhelpedtosupplythehouse.
Onthenarrowleadenroof,whichranalongpastthebedrooms,andwhichwasratherless,Ishouldthink,thanthreefeetbelowthesillsofthewindow,arowofflower-potswasranged,withwideintervalsbetweeneachpot—thewholebeingprotectedfromfallinginhighwindsbyanornamentalironrailingalongtheedgeoftheroof.
Theplanwhichhadnowoccurredtomewastogetoutatmysitting-roomwindowontothisroof,tocreepalongnoiselesslytillIreachedthatpartofitwhichwasimmediatelyoverthelibrarywindow,andtocrouchdownbetweentheflower-pots,withmyearagainsttheouterrailing.
IfSirPercivalandtheCountsatandsmokedto-night,asIhadseenthemsittingandsmokingmanynightsbefore,withtheirchairscloseattheopenwindow,andtheirfeetstretchedonthezincgardenseatswhichwereplacedundertheverandah,everywordtheysaidtoeachotheraboveawhisper(andnolongconversation,asweallknowbyexperience,canbecarriedonINawhisper)mustinevitablyreachmyears.
If,ontheotherhand,theychoseto-nighttositfarbackinsidetheroom,thenthechanceswerethatIshouldhearlittleornothing—andinthatcase,Imustrunthefarmoreseriousriskoftryingtooutwitthemdownstairs.
StronglyasIwasfortifiedinmyresolutionbythedesperatenatureofoursituation,IhopedmostferventlythatImightescapethislastemergency.
Mycouragewasonlyawoman’scourageafterall,anditwasveryneartofailingmewhenIthoughtoftrustingmyselfonthegroundfloor,atthedeadofnight,withinreachofSirPercivalandtheCount.
Iwentsoftlybacktomybedroomtotrythesaferexperimentoftheverandahrooffirst.
Acompletechangeinmydresswasimperativelynecessaryformanyreasons.
Itookoffmysilkgowntobeginwith,becausetheslightestnoisefromitonthatstillnightmighthavebetrayedme.
Inextremovedthewhiteandcumbersomepartsofmyunderclothing,andreplacedthembyapetticoatofdarkflannel.
OverthisIputmyblacktravellingcloak,andpulledthehoodontomyhead.
InmyordinaryeveningcostumeItookuptheroomofthreemenatleast.
Inmypresentdress,whenitwasheldcloseaboutme,nomancouldhavepassedthroughthenarrowestspacesmoreeasilythanI.
Thelittlebreadthleftontheroofoftheverandah,betweentheflower-potsononesideandthewallandthewindowsofthehouseontheother,madethisaseriousconsideration.
IfIknockedanythingdown,ifImadetheleastnoise,whocouldsaywhattheconsequencesmightbe?
IonlywaitedtoputthematchesnearthecandlebeforeIextinguishedit,andgropedmywaybackintothesitting-room,Ilockedthatdoor,asIhadlockedmybedroomdoor—thenquietlygotoutofthewindow,andcautiouslysetmyfeetontheleadenroofoftheverandah.
Mytworoomswereattheinnerextremityofthenewwingofthehouseinwhichwealllived,andIhadfivewindowstopassbeforeIcouldreachthepositionitwasnecessarytotakeupimmediatelyoverthelibrary.
Thefirstwindowbelongedtoaspareroomwhichwasempty.
ThesecondandthirdwindowsbelongedtoLaura’sroom.
ThefourthwindowbelongedtoSirPercival’sroom.
ThefifthbelongedtotheCountess’sroom.
Theothers,bywhichitwasnotnecessaryformetopass,werethewindowsoftheCount’sdressing-room,ofthebath-room,andofthesecondemptyspareroom.
Nosoundreachedmyears—theblackblindingdarknessofthenightwasallroundmewhenIfirststoodontheverandah,exceptatthatpartofitwhichMadameFosco’swindowover-looked.
There,attheveryplaceabovethelibrarytowhichmycoursewasdirected—thereIsawagleamoflight!TheCountesswasnotyetinbed.
Itwastoolatetodrawback—itwasnotimetowait.
Ideterminedtogoonatallhazards,andtrustforsecuritytomyowncautionandtothedarknessofthenight.“ForLaura’ssake!”
Ithoughttomyself,asItookthefirststepforwardontheroof,withonehandholdingmycloakcloseroundme,andtheothergropingagainstthewallofthehouse.
Itwasbettertobrushclosebythewallthantoriskstrikingmyfeetagainsttheflower-potswithinafewinchesofme,ontheotherside.
Ipassedthedarkwindowofthespareroom,tryingtheleadenroofateachstepwithmyfootbeforeIriskedrestingmyweightonit.
IpassedthedarkwindowsofLaura’sroom(“Godblessherandkeepherto-night!”).
IpassedthedarkwindowofSirPercival’sroom.
ThenIwaitedamoment,kneltdownwithmyhandstosupportme,andsocrepttomyposition,undertheprotectionofthelowwallbetweenthebottomofthelightedwindowandtheverandahroof.
WhenIventuredtolookupatthewindowitselfIfoundthatthetopofitonlywasopen,andthattheblindinsidewasdrawndown.
WhileIwaslookingIsawtheshadowofMadameFoscopassacrossthewhitefieldoftheblind—thenpassslowlybackagain.
Thusfarshecouldnothaveheardme,ortheshadowwouldsurelyhavestoppedattheblind,evenifshehadwantedcourageenoughtoopenthewindowandlookout?
Iplacedmyselfsidewaysagainsttherailingoftheverandah—firstascertaining,bytouchingthem,thepositionoftheflower-potsoneithersideofme.
Therewasroomenoughformetositbetweenthemandnomore.
Thesweet-scentedleavesofthefloweronmylefthandjustbrushedmycheekasIlightlyrestedmyheadagainsttherailing.
Thefirstsoundsthatreachedmefrombelowwerecausedbytheopeningorclosing(mostprobablythelatter)ofthreedoorsinsuccession—thedoors,nodoubt,leadingintothehallandintotheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary,whichtheCounthadpledgedhimselftoexamine.
ThefirstobjectthatIsawwastheredsparkagaintravellingoutintothenightfromundertheverandah,movingawaytowardsmywindow,waitingamoment,andthenreturningtotheplacefromwhichithadsetout.
“Thedeviltakeyourrestlessness!Whendoyoumeantositdown?”growledSirPercival’svoicebeneathme.
“Ouf!howhotitis!”saidtheCount,sighingandpuffingwearily.
Hisexclamationwasfollowedbythescrapingofthegardenchairsonthetiledpavementundertheverandah—thewelcomesoundwhichtoldmetheyweregoingtositcloseatthewindowasusual.Sofarthechancewasmine.
Theclockintheturretstruckthequartertotwelveastheysettledthemselvesintheirchairs.
IheardMadameFoscothroughtheopenwindowyawning,andsawhershadowpassoncemoreacrossthewhitefieldoftheblind.
Meanwhile,SirPercivalandtheCountbegantalkingtogetherbelow,nowandthendroppingtheirvoicesalittlelowerthanusual,butneversinkingthemtoawhisper.
Thestrangenessandperilofmysituation,thedread,whichIcouldnotmaster,ofMadameFosco’slightedwindow,madeitdifficult,almostimpossible,forme,atfirst,tokeepmypresenceofmind,andtofixmyattentionsolelyontheconversationbeneath.
ForsomeminutesIcouldonlysucceedingatheringthegeneralsubstanceofit.
IunderstoodtheCounttosaythattheonewindowalightwashiswife’s,thatthegroundfloorofthehousewasquiteclear,andthattheymightnowspeaktoeachotherwithoutfearofaccidents.
SirPercivalmerelyansweredbyupbraidinghisfriendwithhavingunjustifiablyslightedhiswishesandneglectedhisinterestsallthroughtheday.
TheCountthereupondefendedhimselfbydeclaringthathehadbeenbesetbycertaintroublesandanxietieswhichhadabsorbedallhisattention,andthattheonlysafetimetocometoanexplanationwasatimewhentheycouldfeelcertainofbeingneitherinterruptednoroverheard.
“Weareataseriouscrisisinouraffairs,Percival,”hesaid,“andifwearetodecideonthefutureatall,wemustdecidesecretlyto-night.”
ThatsentenceoftheCount’swasthefirstwhichmyattentionwasreadyenoughtomasterexactlyasitwasspoken.
Fromthispoint,withcertainbreaksandinterruptions,mywholeinterestfixedbreathlesslyontheconversation,andIfolloweditwordforword.
“Crisis?”repeatedSirPercival.“It’saworsecrisisthanyouthinkfor,Icantellyou.”
“SoIshouldsuppose,fromyourbehaviourforthelastdayortwo,”returnedtheothercoolly.“Butwaitalittle.
BeforeweadvancetowhatIdoNOTknow,letusbequitecertainofwhatIDOknow.
LetusfirstseeifIamrightaboutthetimethatispast,beforeImakeanyproposaltoyouforthetimethatistocome.”
“StoptillIgetthebrandyandwater.Havesomeyourself.”
“Thankyou,Percival.Thecoldwaterwithpleasure,aspoon,andthebasinofsugar.Eausucree,myfriend—nothingmore.
“Sugar-and-waterforamanofyourage!—There!mixyoursicklymess.Youforeignersareallalike.”
“Nowlisten,Percival.Iwillputourpositionplainlybeforeyou,asIunderstandit,andyoushallsayifIamrightorwrong.
YouandIbothcamebacktothishousefromtheContinentwithouraffairsveryseriouslyembarrassed”
“Cutitshort!Iwantedsomethousandsandyousomehundreds,andwithoutthemoneywewerebothinafairwaytogotothedogstogether.There’sthesituation.Makewhatyoucanofit.Goon.”
“Well,Percival,inyourownsolidEnglishwords,youwantedsomethousandsandIwantedsomehundreds,andtheonlywayofgettingthemwasforyoutoraisethemoneyforyourownnecessity(withasmallmarginbeyondformypoorlittlehundreds)bythehelpofyourwife.
WhatdidItellyouaboutyourwifeonourwaytoEngland?
—andwhatdidItellyouagainwhenwehadcomehere,andwhenIhadseenformyselfthesortofwomanMissHalcombewas?”
“HowshouldIknow?Youtalkednineteentothedozen,Isuppose,justasusual.”
“Isaidthis:Humaningenuity,myfriend,hashithertoonlydiscoveredtwowaysinwhichamancanmanageawoman.
Onewayistoknockherdown—amethodlargelyadoptedbythebrutallowerordersofthepeople,bututterlyabhorrenttotherefinedandeducatedclassesabovethem.
Theotherway(muchlonger,muchmoredifficult,butintheendnotlesscertain)isnevertoacceptaprovocationatawoman’shands.
Itholdswithanimals,itholdswithchildren,anditholdswithwomen,whoarenothingbutchildrengrownup.
Quietresolutionistheonequalitytheanimals,thechildren,andthewomenallfailin.
Iftheycanonceshakethissuperiorqualityintheirmaster,theygetthebetterofHIM.
Iftheycanneversucceedindisturbingit,hegetsthebetterofTHEM.
Isaidtoyou,Rememberthatplaintruthwhenyouwantyourwifetohelpyoutothemoney.
Isaid,Rememberitdoublyandtreblyinthepresenceofyourwife’ssister,MissHalcombe.Haveyourememberedit?
Notonceinalltheimplicationsthathavetwistedthemselvesaboutusinthishouse.
Everyprovocationthatyourwifeandhersistercouldoffertoyou,youinstantlyacceptedfromthem.
Yourmadtemperlostthesignaturetothedeed,lostthereadymoney,setMissHalcombewritingtothelawyerforthefirsttime”
“Firsttime!Hasshewrittenagain?”
“Yes,shehaswrittenagainto-day.”
Achairfellonthepavementoftheverandah—fellwithacrash,asifithadbeenkickeddown.
ItwaswellformethattheCount’srevelationrousedSirPemival’sangerasitdid.
OnhearingthatIhadbeenoncemorediscoveredIstartedsothattherailingagainstwhichIleanedcrackedagain.Hadhefollowedmetotheinn?
DidheinferthatImusthavegivenmyletterstoFannywhenItoldhimIhadnoneforthepost-bag.
Evenifitwasso,howcouldhehaveexaminedtheletterswhentheyhadgonestraightfrommyhandtothebosomofthegirl’sdress?
“Thankyourluckystar,”IheardtheCountsaynext,“thatyouhavemeinthehousetoundotheharmasfastasyoudoit.
ThankyourluckystarthatIsaidNowhenyouweremadenoughtotalkofturningthekeyto-dayonMissHalcombe,asyouturneditinyourmischievousfollyonyourwife.Whereareyoureves?
CanyoulookatMissHalcombeandnotseethatshehastheforesightandtheresolutionofaman?
WiththatwomanformyfriendIwouldsnapthesefingersofmineattheworld.
Withthatwomanformyenemy,I,withallmybrainsandexperience—I,Fosco,cunningasthedevilhimself,asyouhavetoldmeahundredtimes—Iwalk,inyourEnglishphrase,uponegg-shells!
Andthisgrandcreature—Idrinkherhealthinmysugar-and-water—thisgrandcreature,whostandsinthestrengthofherloveandhercourage,firmasarock,betweenustwoandthatpoor,flimsy,prettyblondewifeofyours—thismagnificentwoman,whomIadmirewithallmysoul,thoughIopposeherinyourinterestsandinmine,youdrivetoextremitiesasifshewasnosharperandnobolderthantherestofhersex.
Percival!Percival!
youdeservetofail,andyouHAVEfailed.”
Therewasapause.Iwritethevillain’swordsaboutmyselfbecauseImeantorememberthem—becauseIhopeyetforthedaywhenImayspeakoutonceforallinhispresence,andcastthembackonebyoneinhisteeth.
SirPercivalwasthefirsttobreakthesilenceagain.
“Yes,yes,bullyandblusterasmuchasyoulike,”hesaidsulkily;“thedifficultyaboutthemoneyisnottheonlydifficulty.
Youwouldbefortakingstrongmeasureswiththewomenyourself—ifyouknewasmuchasIdo.”
“Wewillcometothatseconddifficultyallingoodtime,”rejoinedtheCount.
“Youmayconfuseyourself,Percival,asmuchasyouplease,butyoushallnotconfuseme.
Letthequestionofthemoneybesettledfirst.HaveIconvincedyourobstinacy?
haveIshownyouthatyourtemperwillnotletyouhelpyourself?
—OrmustIgoback,and(asyouputitinyourdearstraightforwardEnglish)bullyandblusteralittlemore?”
“Pooh!It’seasyenoughtogrumbleatME.Saywhatistobedone—that’salittleharder.”
“Isit?Bah!
Thisiswhatistobedone:Yougiveupalldirectioninthebusinessfromto-night—youleaveitforthefutureinmyhandsonly.
IamtalkingtoaPracticalBritishman—ha?Well,Practical,willthatdoforyou?”
“WhatdoyouproposeifIleaveitalltoyou?”
“Answermefirst.Isittobeinmyhandsornot?”
“Sayitisinyourhands—whatthen?”
“Afewquestions,Percival,tobeginwith.
Imustwaitalittleyet,toletcircumstancesguideme,andImustknow,ineverypossibleway,whatthosecircumstancesarelikelytobe.Thereisnotimetolose.
IhavetoldyoualreadythatMissHalcombehaswrittentothelawyerto-dayforthesecondtime.”
“Howdidyoufinditout?Whatdidshesay?”
“IfItoldyou,Percival,weshouldonlycomebackattheendtowherewearenow.
EnoughthatIhavefounditout—andthefindinghascausedthattroubleandanxietywhichmademesoinaccessibletoyouallthroughto-day.
Now,torefreshmymemoryaboutyouraffairs—itissometimesinceItalkedthemoverwithyou.
Themoneyhasbeenraised,intheabsenceofyourwife’ssignature,bymeansofbillsatthreemonths—raisedatacostthatmakesmypoverty-strickenforeignhairstandonendtothinkofit!
Whenthebillsaredue,istherereallyandtrulynoearthlywayofpayingthembutbythehelpofyourwife?”
“None.”
“What!Youhavenomoneyatthebankers?”
“Afewhundreds,whenIwantasmanythousands.”
“Haveyounoothersecuritytoborrowupon?”
“Notashred.”
“Whathaveyouactuallygotwithyourwifeatthepresentmoment?”
“Nothingbuttheinterestofhertwentythousandpounds—barelyenoughtopayourdailyexpenses.”
“Whatdoyouexpectfromyourwife?”
“Threethousandayearwhenheruncledies.”
“Afinefortune,Percival.Whatsortofamanisthisuncle?Old?”
“No—neitheroldnoryoung.”
“Agood-tempered,freely-livingman?Married?No—Ithinkmywifetoldme,notmarried.”
“Ofcoursenot.Ifhewasmarried,andhadason,LadyGlydewouldnotbenextheirtotheproperty.I’lltellyouwhatheis.
He’samaudlin,twaddling,selfishfool,andboreseverybodywhocomesnearhimaboutthestateofhishealth.”
“Menofthatsort,Percival,livelong,andmarrymalevolentlywhenyouleastexpectit.
Idon’tgiveyoumuch,myfriend,foryourchanceofthethreethousandayear.
Istherenothingmorethatcomestoyoufromyourwife?”
“Nothing.”
“Absolutelynothing?”
“Absolutelynothing—exceptincaseofherdeath.”
“Aha!inthecaseofherdeath.”
Therewasanotherpause.TheCountmovedfromtheverandahtothegravelwalkoutside.Iknewthathehadmovedbyhisvoice.
“Therainhascomeatlast,”Iheardhimsay.Ithadcome.
Thestateofmycloakshowedthatithadbeenfallingthicklyforsomelittletime.
TheCountwentbackundertheverandah—Iheardthechaircreakbeneathhisweightashesatdowninitagain.
“Well,Percival,”hesaid,“andinthecaseofLadyGlyde’sdeath,whatdoyougetthen?”
“Ifsheleavesnochildren——”
“Whichsheislikelytodo?”
“Whichsheisnotintheleastlikelytodo——”
“Yes?”
“Why,thenIgethertwentythousandpounds.”
“Paiddown?”
“Paiddown.”
Theyweresilentoncemore.AstheirvoicesceasedMadameFosco’sshadowdarkenedtheblindagain.
Insteadofpassingthistime,itremained,foramoment,quitestill.
Isawherfingersstealroundthecorneroftheblind,anddrawitononeside.
Thedimwhiteoutlineofherface,lookingoutstraightoverme,appearedbehindthewindow.
Ikeptstill,shroudedfromheadtofootinmyblackcloak.
Therain,whichwasfastwettingme,drippedovertheglass,blurredit,andpreventedherfromseeinganything.“Morerain!”Iheardhersaytoherself.
Shedroppedtheblind,andIbreathedagainfreely.
Thetalkwentonbelowme,theCountresumingitthistime.
“Percival!doyoucareaboutyourwife?”
“Fosco!that’sratheradownrightquestion.”
“Iamadownrightman,andIrepeatit.”
“Whythedevildoyoulookatmeinthatway?”
“Youwon’tanswerme?Well,then,letussayyourwifediesbeforethesummerisout——”
“Dropit,Fosco!”
“Letussayyourwifedies——”
“Dropit,Itellyou!”
“Inthatcase,youwouldgaintwentythousandpounds,andyouwouldlose——”
“Ishouldlosethechanceofthreethousandayear.”
“TheREMOTEchance,Percival—theremotechanceonly.Andyouwantmoney,atonce.Inyourpositionthegainiscertain—thelossdoubtful.”
“Speakforyourselfaswellasforme.SomeofthemoneyIwanthasbeenborrowedforyou.
Andifyoucometogain,mywife’sdeathwouldbetenthousandpoundsinyourwife’spocket.
Sharpasyouare,youseemtohaveconvenientlyforgottenMadameFosco’slegacy.Don’tlookatmeinthatway!Iwon’thaveit!
Whatwithyourlooksandyourquestions,uponmysoul,youmakemyfleshcreep!”
“Yourflesh?DoesfleshmeanconscienceinEnglish?
speakofyourwife’sdeathasIspeakofapossibility.Whynot?
Therespectablelawyerswhoscribble-scrabbleyourdeedsandyourwillslookthedeathsoflivingpeopleintheface.Dolawyersmakeyourfleshcreep?WhyshouldI?
Itismybusinessto-nighttoclearupyourpositionbeyondthepossibilityofmistake,andIhavenowdoneit.Hereisyourposition.
Ifyourwifelives,youpaythosebillswithhersignaturetotheparchment.
Ifyourwifedies,youpaythemwithherdeath.”
AshespokethelightinMadameFosco’sroomwasextinguished,andthewholesecondfloorofthehousewasnowsunkindarkness,
“Talk!talk!”grumbledSirPercival.“Onewouldthink,tohearyou,thatmywife’ssignaturetothedeedwasgotalready.”
“Youhaveleftthematterinmyhands,”retortedtheCount,“andIhavemorethantwomonthsbeforemetoturnroundin.
Saynomoreaboutit,ifyouplease,forthepresent.
Whenthebillsaredue,youwillseeforyourselfifmy‘talk!talk!’isworthsomething,orifitisnot.
Andnow,Percival,havingdonewiththemoneymattersforto-night,Icanplacemyattentionatyourdisposal,ifyouwishtoconsultmeonthatseconddifficultywhichhasmixeditselfupwithourlittleembarrassments,andwhichhassoalteredyoufortheworse,thatIhardlyknowyouagain.
Speak,myfriend—andpardonmeifIshockyourfierynationaltastesbymixingmyselfasecondglassofsugar-and-water.”
“It’sverywelltosayspeak,”repliedSirPercival,inafarmorequietandmorepolitetonethanhehadyetadopted,“butit’snotsoeasytoknowhowtobegin.”
“ShallIhelpyou?”suggestedtheCount.“ShallIgivethisprivatedifficultyofyoursaname?WhatifIcallit—AnneCatherick?”
“Lookhere,Fosco,youandIhaveknowneachotherforalongtime,andifyouhavehelpedmeoutofoneortwoscrapesbeforethis,IhavedonethebestIcouldtohelpyouinreturn,asfarasmoneywouldgo.
Wehavemadeasmanyfriendlysacrifices,onbothsides,asmencould,butwehavehadoursecretsfromeachother,ofcourse—haven’twe?”
“Youhavehadasecretfromme,Percival.ThereisaskeletoninyourcupboardhereatBlackwaterParkthathaspeepedoutintheselastfewdaysatotherpeoplebesidesyourself.”
“Well,supposeithas.Ifitdoesn’tconcernyou,youneedn’tbecuriousaboutit,needyou?”
“DoIlookcuriousaboutit?”
“Yes,youdo.”
“So!so!myfacespeaksthetruth,then?
Whatanimmensefoundationofgoodtheremustbeinthenatureofamanwhoarrivesatmyage,andwhosefacehasnotyetlostthehabitofspeakingthetruth!—Come,Glyde!letusbecandidonewiththeother.
Thissecretofyourshassoughtme:Ihavenotsoughtit.
LetussayIamcurious—doyouaskme,asyouroldfriend,torespectyoursecret,andtoleaveit,onceforall,inyourownkeeping?”
“Yes—that’sjustwhatIdoask.”
“Thenmycuriosityisatanend.Itdiesinmefromthismoment.”
“Doyoureallymeanthat?”
“Whatmakesyoudoubtme?”
“Ihavehadsomeexperience,Fosco,ofyourroundaboutways,andIamnotsosurethatyouwon’twormitoutofmeafterall.”
Thechairbelowsuddenlycreakedagain—Ifeltthetrellis-workpillarundermeshakefromtoptobottom.TheCounthadstartedtohisfeet,andhadstruckitwithhishandinindignation.
“Percival!Percival!”
hecriedpassionately,“doyouknowmenobetterthanthat?
Hasallyourexperienceshownyounothingofmycharacteryet?Iamamanoftheantiquetype!
Iamcapableofthemostexaltedactsofvirtue—whenIhavethechanceofperformingthem.
IthasbeenthemisfortuneofmylifethatIhavehadfewchances.Myconceptionoffriendshipissublime!
Isitmyfaultthatyourskeletonhaspeepedoutatme?WhydoIconfessmycuriosity?
YoupoorsuperficialEnglishman,itistomagnifymyownself-control.
Icoulddrawyoursecretoutofyou,ifIliked,asIdrawthisfingeroutofthepalmofmyhand—youknowIcould!
Butyouhaveappealedtomyfriendship,andthedutiesoffriendshiparesacredtome.See!
Itramplemybasecuriosityundermyfeet.Myexaltedsentimentsliftmeaboveit.Recognisethem,Percival!imitatethem,Percival!Shakehands—Iforgiveyou.”
Hisvoicefalteredoverthelastwords—faltered,asifhewereactuallysheddingtears!
SirPercivalconfusedlyattemptedtoexcusehimself,buttheCountwastoomagnanimoustolistentohim.
“No!”hesaid.“Whenmyfriendhaswoundedme,Icanpardonhimwithoutapologies.Tellme,inplainwords,doyouwantmyhelp?”
“Yes,badlyenough.”
“Andyoucanaskforitwithoutcompromisingyourself?”
“Icantry,atanyrate.”
“Try,then.”
“Well,thisishowitstands:—Itoldyouto-daythatIhaddonemybesttofindAnneCatherick,andfailed.”
“Yes,youdid.”
“Fosco!I’malostmanifIDON’Tfindher.”
“Ha!Isitsoseriousasthat?”
Alittlestreamoflighttravelledoutundertheverandah,andfelloverthegravel-walk.TheCounthadtakenthelampfromtheinnerpartoftheroomtoseehisfriendclearlybythelightofit.
“Yes!”hesaid.“Yourfacespeaksthetruththistime.Serious,indeed—asseriousasthemoneymattersthemselves.”
“Moreserious.AstrueasIsithere,moreserious!”
Thelightdisappearedagainandthetalkwenton.
“IshowedyouthelettertomywifethatAnneCatherickhidinthesand,”SirPercivalcontinued.“There’snoboastinginthatletter,Fosco—sheDOESknowtheSecret.”
“Sayaslittleaspossible,Percival,inmypresence,oftheSecret.Doessheknowitfromyou?”
“No,fromhermother.”
“Twowomeninpossessionofyourprivatemind—bad,bad,bad,myfriend!
Onequestionhere,beforewegoanyfarther.
Themotiveofyourshuttingupthedaughterintheasylumisnowplainenoughtome,butthemannerofherescapeisnotquitesoclear.
Doyoususpectthepeopleinchargeofherofclosingtheireyespurposely,attheinstanceofsomeenemywhocouldaffordtomakeitworththeirwhile?”
“No,shewasthebest-behavedpatienttheyhad—and,likefools,theytrustedher.She’sjustmadenoughtobeshutup,andjustsaneenoughtoruinmewhenshe’satlarge—ifyouunderstandthat?”
“Idounderstandit.Now,Percival,comeatoncetothepoint,andthenIshallknowwhattodo.Whereisthedangerofyourpositionatthepresentmoment?”
“AnneCatherickisinthisneighbourhood,andincommunicationwithLadyGlyde—there’sthedanger,plainenough.
Whocanreadthelettershehidinthesand,andnotseethatmywifeisinpossessionoftheSecret,denyitasshemay?”
“Onemoment,Percival.IfLadyGlydedoesknowtheSecret,shemustknowalsothatitisacompromisingsecretforyou.Asyourwife,surelyitisherinteresttokeepit?”
“Isit?I’mcomingtothat.
Itmightbeherinterestifshecaredtwostrawsaboutme.
ButIhappentobeanencumbranceinthewayofanotherman.
Shewasinlovewithhimbeforeshemarriedme—she’sinlovewithhimnow—aninfernalvagabondofadrawing-master,namedHartright.”
“Mydearfriend!whatisthereextraordinaryinthat?
Theyareallinlovewithsomeotherman.Whogetsthefirstofawoman’sheart?
InallmyexperienceIhaveneveryetmetwiththemanwhowasNumberOne.NumberTwo,sometimes.NumberThree,Four,Five,often.NumberOne,never!
Heexists,ofcourse—butIhavenotmetwithhim.”
“Wait!Ihaven’tdoneyet.
WhodoyouthinkhelpedAnneCathericktogetthestart,whenthepeoplefromthemad-housewereafterher?Hartright.
WhodoyouthinksawheragaininCumberland?Hartright.Bothtimeshespoketoheralone.Stop!don’tinterruptme.
Thescoundrel’sassweetonmywifeassheisonhim.
HeknowstheSecret,andsheknowstheSecret.
Onceletthembothgettogetheragain,andit’sherinterestandhisinteresttoturntheirinformationagainstme.”
“Gently,Percival—gently!AreyouinsensibletothevirtueofLadyGlyde?”
“ThatforthevirtueofLadyGlyde!Ibelieveinnothingaboutherbuthermoney.Don’tyouseehowthecasestands?Shemightbeharmlessenoughbyherself;butifsheandthatvagabondHartright——”
“Yes,yes,Isee.WhereisMr.Hartright?”
“Outofthecountry.Ifhemeanstokeepawholeskinonhisbones,Irecommendhimnottocomebackinahurry.”
“Areyousureheisoutofthecountry?”
“Certain.IhadhimwatchedfromthetimeheleftCumberlandtothetimehesailed.Oh,I’vebeencareful,Icantellyou!
AnneCathericklivedwithsomepeopleatafarm-housenearLimmeridge.
Iwenttheremyself,aftershehadgivenmetheslip,andmadesurethattheyknewnothing.
IgavehermotheraformoflettertowritetoMissHalcombe,exoneratingmefromanybadmotiveinputtingherunderrestraint.
I’vespent,I’mafraidtosayhowmuch,intryingtotraceher,andinspiteofitall,sheturnsuphereandescapesmeonmyownproperty!
HowdoIknowwhoelsemayseeher,whoelsemayspeaktoher?
Thatpryingscoundrel,Hartright,maycomebackwith-outmyknowingit,andmaymakeuseofherto-morrow——”
“Nothe,Percival!WhileIamonthespot,andwhilethatwomanisintheneighbourhood,IwillanswerforourlayinghandsonherbeforeMr.Hartright—evenifhedoescomeback.Isee!yes,yes,Isee!
ThefindingofAnneCatherickisthefirstnecessity—makeyourmindeasyabouttherest.
Yourwifeishere,underyourthumb—MissHalcombeisinseparablefromher,andis,therefore,underyourthumbalso—andMr.Hartrightisoutofthecountry.
ThisinvisibleAnneofyoursisallwehavetothinkofforthepresent.Youhavemadeyourinquiries?”
“Yes.Ihavebeentohermother,Ihaveransackedthevillage—andalltonopurpose.”
“Ishermothertobedependedon?”
“Yes.”
“Shehastoldyoursecretonce.”
“Shewon’ttellitagain.”
“Whynot?Areherowninterestsconcernedinkeepingit,aswellasyours?”
“Yes—deeplyconcerned.”
“Iamgladtohearit,Percival,foryoursake.Don’tbediscouraged,myfriend.
Ourmoneymatters,asItoldyou,leavemeplentyoftimetoturnroundin,andImaysearchforAnneCatherickto-morrowtobetterpurposethanyou.Onelastquestionbeforewegotobed.”
“Whatisit?”
“Itisthis.WhenIwenttotheboat-housetotellLadyGlydethatthelittledifficultyofhersignaturewasputoff,accidenttookmethereintimetoseeastrangewomanpartinginaverysuspiciousmannerfromyourwife.
Butaccidentdidnotbringmenearenoughtoseethissamewoman’sfaceplainly.
ImustknowhowtorecogniseourinvisibleAnne.Whatisshelike?”
“Like?Come!I’lltellyouintwowords.She’sasicklylikenessofmywife.”
Thechaircreaked,andthepillarshookoncemore.TheCountwasonhisfeetagain—thistimeinastonishment.
“What!!!”heexclaimedeagerly.
“Fancymywife,afterabadillness,withatouchofsomethingwronginherhead—andthereisAnneCatherickforyou,”answeredSirPercival.
“Aretheyrelatedtoeachother?”
“Notabitofit.”
“Andyetsolike?”
“Yes,solike.Whatareyoulaughingabout?”
Therewasnoanswer,andnosoundofanykind.TheCountwaslaughinginhissmoothsilentinternalway.
“Whatareyoulaughingabout?”reiteratedSirPercival.
“Perhapsatmyownfancies,mygoodfriend.
AllowmemyItalianhumour—doInotcomeoftheillustriousnationwhichinventedtheexhibitionofPunch?
Well,well,well,IshallknowAnneCatherickwhenIseeher—andsoenoughforto-night.Makeyourmindeasy,Percival.
Sleep,myson,thesleepofthejust,andseewhatIwilldoforyouwhendaylightcomestohelpusboth.
Ihavemyprojectsandmyplanshereinmybighead.
YoushallpaythosebillsandfindAnneCatherick—mysacredwordofhonouronit,butyoushall!
AmIafriendtobetreasuredinthebestcornerofyourheart,oramInot?
AmIworththoseloansofmoneywhichyousodelicatelyremindedmeofalittlewhilesince?
Whateveryoudo,neverwoundmeinmysentimentsanymore.Recognisethem,Percival!imitatethem,Percival!
Iforgiveyouagain—Ishakehandsagain.Good-night!”
Notanotherwordwasspoken.IheardtheCountclosethelibrarydoor.
IheardSirPercivalbarringupthewindow-shutters.
Ithadbeenraining,rainingallthetime.
Iwascrampedbymypositionandchilledtothebones.
WhenIfirsttriedtomove,theeffortwassopainfultomethatIwasobligedtodesist.
Itriedasecondtime,andsucceededinrisingtomykneesonthewetroof.
AsIcrepttothewall,andraisedmyselfagainstit,Ilookedback,andsawthewindowoftheCount’sdressing-roomgleamintolight.
Mysinkingcourageflickeredupinmeagain,andkeptmyeyesfixedonhiswindow,asIstolemywayback,stepbystep,pastthewallofthehouse.
Theclockstruckthequarterafterone,whenIlaidmyhandsonthewindow-sillofmyownroom.Ihadseennothingandheardnothingwhichcouldleadmetosupposethatmyretreathadbeendiscovered.
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