English
WhenIreachedhomeagainaftermyinterviewwithMrs.Clements,IwasstruckbytheappearanceofachangeinLaura.
Theunvaryinggentlenessandpatiencewhichlongmisfortunehadtriedsocruellyandhadneverconqueredyet,seemednowtohavesuddenlyfailedher.
InsensibletoallMarian’sattemptstosootheandamuseher,shesat,withherneglecteddrawingpushedawayonthetable,hereyesresolutelycastdown,herfingerstwininganduntwiningthemselvesrestlesslyinherlap.
MarianrosewhenIcamein,withasilentdistressinherface,waitedforamomenttoseeifLaurawouldlookupatmyapproach,whisperedtome,“Tryifyoucanrouseher,”andlefttheroom.
Isatdowninthevacantchair—gentlyunclaspedthepoor,worn,restlessfingers,andtookbothherhandsinmine.
“Whatareyouthinkingof,Laura?Tellme,mydarling—tryandtellmewhatitis.”
Shestruggledwithherself,andraisedhereyestomine.
“Ican’tfeelhappy,”shesaid,“Ican’thelpthinking——”Shestopped,bentforwardalittle,andlaidherheadonmyshoulder,withaterriblemutehelplessnessthatstruckmetotheheart.
“Trytotellme,”Irepeatedgently;“trytotellmewhyyouarenothappy.”
“Iamsouseless—Iamsuchaburdenonbothofyou,”sheanswered,withaweary,hopelesssigh.
“Youworkandgetmoney,Walter,andMarianhelpsyou.WhyistherenothingIcando?
YouwillendinlikingMarianbetterthanyoulikeme—youwill,becauseIamsohelpless!
Oh,don’t,don’t,don’ttreatmelikeachild!”
Iraisedherhead,andsmoothedawaythetangledhairthatfelloverherface,andkissedher—mypoor,fadedflower!mylost,afflictedsister!
“Youshallhelpus,Laura,”Isaid,“youshallbegin,mydarling,to-day.”
Shelookedatmewithafeverisheagerness,withabreathlessinterest,thatmademetrembleforthenewlifeofhopewhichIhadcalledintobeingbythosefewwords.
Irose,andsetherdrawingmaterialsinorder,andplacedthemnearheragain.
“YouknowthatIworkandgetmoneybydrawing,”Isaid.
“Nowyouhavetakensuchpains,nowyouaresomuchimproved,youshallbegintoworkandgetmoneytoo.
Trytofinishthislittlesketchasnicelyandprettilyasyoucan.
WhenitisdoneIwilltakeitawaywithme,andthesamepersonwillbuyitwhobuysallthatIdo.
Youshallkeepyourownearningsinyourownpurse,andMarianshallcometoyoutohelpus,asoftenasshecomestome.
Thinkhowusefulyouaregoingtomakeyourselftobothofus,andyouwillsoonbeashappy,Laura,asthedayislong.”
Herfacegreweager,andbrightenedintoasmile.
Inthemomentwhileitlasted,inthemomentwhensheagaintookupthepencilsthathadbeenlaidaside,shealmostlookedliketheLauraofpastdays.
Ihadrightlyinterpretedthefirstsignsofanewgrowthandstrengthinhermind,unconsciouslyexpressingthemselvesinthenoticeshehadtakenoftheoccupationswhichfilledhersister’slifeandmine.
Marian(whenItoldherwhathadpassed)saw,asIsaw,thatshewaslongingtoassumeherownlittlepositionofimportance,toraiseherselfinherownestimationandinours—and,fromthatday,wetenderlyhelpedthenewambitionwhichgavepromiseofthehopeful,happierfuture,thatmightnownotbefaroff.
Herdrawings,asshefinishedthem,ortriedtofinishthem,wereplacedinmyhands.
Mariantookthemfrommeandhidthemcarefully,andIsetasidealittleweeklytributefrommyearnings,tobeofferedtoherasthepricepaidbystrangersforthepoor,faint,valuelesssketches,ofwhichIwastheonlypurchaser.
Itwashardsometimestomaintainourinnocentdeception,whensheproudlybroughtoutherpursetocontributehersharetowardstheexpenses,andwonderedwithseriousinterest,whetherIorshehadearnedthemostthatweek.
Ihaveallthosehiddendrawingsinmypossessionstill—theyaremytreasuresbeyondprice—thedearremembrancesthatIlovetokeepalive—thefriendsinpastadversitythatmyheartwillneverpartfrom,mytendernessneverforget.
AmItrifling,here,withthenecessitiesofmytask?
amIlookingforwardtothehappiertimewhichmynarrativehasnotyetreached?Yes.
Backagain—backtothedaysofdoubtanddread,whenthespiritwithinmestruggledhardforitslife,intheicystillnessofperpetualsuspense.
Ihavepausedandrestedforawhileonmyforwardcourse.
Itisnot,perhaps,timewasted,ifthefriendswhoreadthesepageshavepausedandrestedtoo.
ItookthefirstopportunityIcouldfindofspeakingtoMarianinprivate,andofcommunicatingtohertheresultoftheinquirieswhichIhadmadethatmorning.
SheseemedtosharetheopiniononthesubjectofmyproposedjourneytoWelmingham,whichMrs.Clementshadalreadyexpressedtome.
“Surely,Walter,”shesaid,“youhardlyknowenoughyettogiveyouanyhopeofclaimingMrs.Catherick’sconfidence?
Isitwisetoproceedtotheseextremities,beforeyouhavereallyexhaustedallsaferandsimplermeansofattainingyourobject?
WhenyoutoldmethatSirPercivalandtheCountweretheonlytwopeopleinexistencewhoknewtheexactdateofLaura’sjourney,youforgot,andIforgot,thattherewasathirdpersonwhomustsurelyknowit—ImeanMrs.Rubelle.
Woulditnotbefareasier,andfarlessdangerous,toinsistonaconfessionfromher,thantoforceitfromSirPercival?”
“Itmightbeeasier,”Ireplied,“butwearenotawareofthefullextentofMrs.Rubelle’sconnivanceandinterestintheconspiracy,andwearethereforenotcertainthatthedatehasbeenimpressedonhermind,asithasbeenassuredlyimpressedonthemindsofSirPercivalandtheCount.
Itistoolate,now,towastethetimeonMrs.Rubelle,whichmaybeall-importanttothediscoveryoftheoneassailablepointinSirPercival’slife?
Areyouthinkingalittletooseriously,Marian,oftheriskImayruninreturningtoHampshire?
AreyoubeginningtodoubtwhetherSirPercivalGlydemaynotintheendbemorethanamatchforme?”
“Hewillnotbemorethanyourmatch,”shereplieddecidedly,“becausehewillnotbehelpedinresistingyoubytheimpenetrablewickednessoftheCount.”
“Whathasledyoutothatconclusion?”Ireplied,insomesurprise.
“MyownknowledgeofSirPercival’sobstinacyandimpatienceoftheCount’scontrol,”sheanswered.
“Ibelievehewillinsistonmeetingyousingle-handed—justasheinsistedatfirstonactingforhimselfatBlackwaterPark.
ThetimeforsuspectingtheCount’sinterferencewillbethetimewhenyouhaveSirPercivalatyourmercy.
Hisowninterestswillthenbedirectlythreatened,andhewillact,Walter,toterriblepurposeinhisowndefence.”
“Wemaydeprivehimofhisweaponsbeforehand,”Isaid.
“SomeoftheparticularsIhaveheardfromMrs.Clementsmayyetbeturnedtoaccountagainsthim,andothermeansofstrengtheningthecasemaybeatourdisposal.
TherearepassagesinMrs.Michelson’snarrativewhichshowthattheCountfounditnecessarytoplacehimselfincommunicationwithMr.Fairlie,andtheremaybecircumstanceswhichcompromisehiminthatproceeding.
WhileIamaway,Marian,writetoMr.FairlieandsaythatyouwantananswerdescribingexactlywhatpassedbetweentheCountandhimself,andinformingyoualsoofanyparticularsthatmayhavecometohisknowledgeatthesametimeinconnectionwithhisniece.
Tellhimthatthestatementyourequestwill,soonerorlater,beinsistedon,ifheshowsanyreluctancetofurnishyouwithitofhisownaccord.”
“Thelettershallbewritten,Walter.ButareyoureallydeterminedtogotoWelmingham?”
“Absolutelydetermined.Iwilldevotethenexttwodaystoearningwhatwewantfortheweektocome,andonthethirddayIgotoHampshire.”
WhenthethirddaycameIwasreadyformyjourney.
AsitwaspossiblethatImightbeabsentforsomelittletime,IarrangedwithMarianthatweweretocorrespondeveryday—ofcourseaddressingeachotherbyassumednames,forcaution’ssake.
AslongasIheardfromherregularly,Ishouldassumethatnothingwaswrong.
Butifthemorningcameandbroughtmenoletter,myreturntoLondonwouldtakeplace,asamatterofcourse,bythefirsttrain.
IcontrivedtoreconcileLauratomydeparturebytellingherthatIwasgoingtothecountrytofindnewpurchasersforherdrawingsandformine,andIleftheroccupiedandhappy.
Marianfollowedmedownstairstothestreetdoor.
“Rememberwhatanxiousheartsyouleavehere,”shewhispered,aswestoodtogetherinthepassage.
“Rememberallthehopesthathangonyoursafereturn.
Ifstrangethingshappentoyouonthisjourney—ifyouandSirPercivalmeet——”
“Whatmakesyouthinkweshallmeet?”Iasked.
“Idon’tknow—IhavefearsandfanciesthatIcannotaccountfor.Laughatthem,Walter,ifyoulike—but,forGod’ssake,keepyourtemperifyoucomeincontactwiththatman!”
“Neverfear,Marian!Ianswerformyself-control.”
Withthosewordsweparted.
Iwalkedbrisklytothestation.Therewasaglowofhopeinme.
Therewasagrowingconvictioninmymindthatmyjourneythistimewouldnotbetakeninvain.Itwasafine,clear,coldmorning.
Mynerveswerefirmlystrung,andIfeltallthestrengthofmyresolutionstirringinmevigorouslyfromheadtofoot.
AsIcrossedtherailwayplatform,andlookedrightandleftamongthepeoplecongregatedonit,tosearchforanyfacesamongthemthatIknew,thedoubtoccurredtomewhetheritmightnothavebeentomyadvantageifIhadadoptedadisguisebeforesettingoutforHampshire.
Buttherewassomethingsorepellenttomeintheidea—somethingsomeanlylikethecommonherdofspiesandinformersinthemereactofadoptingadisguise—thatIdismissedthequestionfromconsiderationalmostassoonasithadriseninmymind.
Evenasamerematterofexpediencytheproceedingwasdoubtfulintheextreme.
IfItriedtheexperimentathomethelandlordofthehousewouldsoonerorlaterdiscoverme,andwouldhavehissuspicionsarousedimmediately.
IfItrieditawayfromhomethesamepersonsmightseeme,bythecommonestaccident,withthedisguiseandwithoutit,andIshouldinthatwaybeinvitingthenoticeanddistrustwhichitwasmymostpressinginteresttoavoid.
InmyowncharacterIhadactedthusfar—andinmyowncharacterIwasresolvedtocontinuetotheend.
ThetrainleftmeatWelminghamearlyintheafternoon.
IsthereanywildernessofsandinthedesertsofArabia,isthereanyprospectofdesolationamongtheruinsofPalestine,whichcanrivaltherepellingeffectontheeye,andthedepressinginfluenceonthemind,ofanEnglishcountrytowninthefirststageofitsexistence,andinthetransitionstateofitsprosperity?
IaskedmyselfthatquestionasIpassedthroughthecleandesolation,theneatugliness,theprimtorporofthestreetsofWelmingham.
Andthetradesmenwhostaredaftermefromtheirlonelyshops—thetreesthatdroopedhelplessintheiraridexileofunfinishedcrescentsandsquares—thedeadhouse-carcassesthatwaitedinvainforthevivifyinghumanelementtoanimatethemwiththebreathoflife—everycreaturethatIsaw,everyobjectthatIpassed,seemedtoanswerwithoneaccord:ThedesertsofArabiaareinnocentofourciviliseddesolation—theruinsofPalestineareincapableofourmoderngloom!
IinquiredmywaytothequarterofthetowninwhichMrs.Cathericklived,andonreachingitfoundmyselfinasquareofsmallhouses,onestoryhigh.
Therewasabarelittleplotofgrassinthemiddle,protectedbyacheapwirefence.
Anelderlynursemaidandtwochildrenwerestandinginacorneroftheenclosure,lookingataleangoattetheredtothegrass.
Twofoot-passengersweretalkingtogetherononesideofthepavementbeforethehouses,andanidlelittleboywasleadinganidlelittledogalongbyastringontheother.
Iheardthedulltinklingofapianoatadistance,accompaniedbytheintermittentknockingofahammernearerathand.
ThesewereallthesightsandsoundsoflifethatencounteredmewhenIenteredthesquare.
IwalkedatoncetothedoorofNumberThirteen—thenumberofMrs.Catherick’shouse—andknocked,withoutwaitingtoconsiderbeforehandhowImightbestpresentmyselfwhenIgotin.
ThefirstnecessitywastoseeMrs.Catherick.
Icouldthenjudge,frommyownobservation,ofthesafestandeasiestmannerofapproachingtheobjectofmyvisit.
Thedoorwasopenedbyamelancholymiddle-agedwomanservant.
Igavehermycard,andaskedifIcouldseeMrs.Catherick.
Thecardwastakenintothefrontparlour,andtheservantreturnedwithamessagerequestingmetomentionwhatmybusinesswas.
“Say,ifyouplease,thatmybusinessrelatestoMrs.Catherick’sdaughter,”Ireplied.ThiswasthebestpretextIcouldthinkof,onthespurofthemoment,toaccountformyvisit.
Theservantagainretiredtotheparlour,againreturned,andthistimebeggedme,withalookofgloomyamazement,towalkin.
Ienteredalittleroom,withaflaringpaperofthelargestpatternonthewalls.
Chairs,tables,cheffonier,andsofa,allgleamedwiththeglutinousbrightnessofcheapupholstery.
Onthelargesttable,inthemiddleoftheroom,stoodasmartBible,placedexactlyinthecentreonaredandyellowwoollenmatandatthesideofthetablenearesttothewindow,withalittleknitting-basketonherlap,andawheezing,blear-eyedoldspanielcrouchedatherfeet,theresatanelderlywoman,wearingablacknetcapandablacksilkgown,andhavingslate-colouredmittensonherhands.
Heriron-greyhairhunginheavybandsoneithersideofherface—herdarkeyeslookedstraightforward,withahard,defiant,implacablestare.
Shehadfullsquarecheeks,along,firmchin,andthick,sensual,colourlesslips.
Herfigurewasstoutandsturdy,andhermanneraggressivelyself-possessed.ThiswasMrs.Catherick.
“Youhavecometospeaktomeaboutmydaughter,”shesaid,beforeIcouldutterawordonmyside.“Besogoodastomentionwhatyouhavetosay.”
Thetoneofhervoicewasashard,asdefiant,asimplacableastheexpressionofhereyes.
Shepointedtoachair,andlookedmealloverattentively,fromheadtofoot,asIsatdowninit.
Isawthatmyonlychancewiththiswomanwastospeaktoherinherowntone,andtomeether,attheoutsetofourinterview,onherownground.
“Youareaware,”Isaid,“thatyourdaughterhasbeenlost?”
“Iamperfectlyawareofit.”
“Haveyoufeltanyapprehensionthatthemisfortuneofherlossmightbefollowedbythemisfortuneofherdeath?”
“Yes.Haveyoucomeheretotellmesheisdead?”
“Ihave.”
“Why?”
Sheputthatextraordinaryquestionwithouttheslightestchangeinhervoice,herface,orhermanner.
ShecouldnothaveappearedmoreperfectlyunconcernedifIhadtoldherofthedeathofthegoatintheenclosureoutside.
“Why?”Irepeated.“DoyouaskwhyIcomeheretotellyouofyourdaughter’sdeath?”
“Yes.Whatinteresthaveyouinme,orinher?Howdoyoucometoknowanythingaboutmydaughter?”
“Inthisway.ImetheronthenightwhensheescapedfromtheAsylum,andIassistedherinreachingaplaceofsafety.”
“Youdidverywrong.”
“Iamsorrytohearhermothersayso.”
“Hermotherdoessayso.Howdoyouknowsheisdead?”
“IamnotatlibertytosayhowIknowit—butIDOknowit.”
“Areyouatlibertytosayhowyoufoundoutmyaddress?”
“Certainly.IgotyouraddressfromMrs.Clements.”
“Mrs.Clementsisafoolishwoman.Didshetellyoutocomehere?”
“Shedidnot.”
“Then,Iaskyouagain,whydidyoucome?”
Asshewasdeterminedtohaveheranswer,Igaveittoherintheplainestpossibleform.
“Icame,”Isaid,“becauseIthoughtAnneCatherick’smothermighthavesomenaturalinterestinknowingwhethershewasaliveordead.”
“Justso,”saidMrs.Catherick,withadditionalself-possession.“Hadyounoothermotive?”
Ihesitated.Therightanswertothatquestionwasnoteasytofindatamoment’snotice.
“Ifyouhavenoothermotive,”shewenton,deliberatelytakingoffherslate-colouredmittens,androllingthemup,“Ihaveonlytothankyouforyourvisit,andtosaythatIwillnotdetainyouhereanylonger.
Yourinformationwouldbemoresatisfactoryifyouwerewillingtoexplainhowyoubecamepossessedofit.
However,itjustifiesme,Isuppose,ingoingintomourning.
Thereisnotmuchalterationnecessaryinmydress,asyousee.
WhenIhavechangedmymittens,Ishallbeallinblack.”
Shesearchedinthepocketofhergown,drewoutapairofblacklacemittens,putthemonwiththestoniestandsteadiestcomposure,andthenquietlycrossedherhandsinherlap.
“Iwishyougoodmorning,”shesaid.
Thecoolcontemptofhermannerirritatedmeintodirectlyavowingthatthepurposeofmyvisithadnotbeenansweredyet.
“IHAVEanothermotiveincominghere,”Isaid.
“Ah!Ithoughtso,”remarkedMrs.Catherick.
“Yourdaughter’sdeath——”
“Whatdidshedieof?”
“Ofdiseaseoftheheart.”
“Yes.Goon.”
“Yourdaughter’sdeathhasbeenmadethepretextforinflictingseriousinjuryonapersonwhoisverydeartome.
Twomenhavebeenconcerned,tomycertainknowledge,indoingthatwrong.OneofthemisSirPercivalGlyde.”
“Indeed!”
Ilookedattentivelytoseeifsheflinchedatthesuddenmentionofthatname.Notamuscleofherstirred—thehard,defiant,implacablestareinhereyesneverwaveredforaninstant.
“Youmaywonder,”Iwenton,“howtheeventofyourdaughter’sdeathcanhavebeenmadethemeansofinflictinginjuryonanotherperson.”
“No,”saidMrs.Catherick;“Idon’twonderatall.Thisappearstobeyouraffair.Youareinterestedinmyaffairs.Iamnotinterestedinyours.”
“Youmayask,then,”Ipersisted,“whyImentionthematterinyourpresence.”
“Yes,IDOaskthat.”
“ImentionitbecauseIamdeterminedtobringSirPercivalGlydetoaccountforthewickednesshehascommitted.”
“WhathaveItodowithyourdetermination?”
“Youshallhear.TherearecertaineventsinSirPercival’spastlifewhichitisnecessaryformypurposetobefullyacquaintedwith.YOUknowthem—andforthatreasonIcometoYOU.”
“Whateventsdoyoumean?”
“EventsthatoccurredatOldWelminghamwhenyourhusbandwasparish-clerkatthatplace,andbeforethetimewhenyourdaughterwasborn.”
Ihadreachedthewomanatlastthroughthebarrierofimpenetrablereservethatshehadtriedtosetupbetweenus.
Isawhertempersmoulderinginhereyes—asplainlyasIsawherhandsgrowrestless,thenunclaspthemselves,andbeginmechanicallysmoothingherdressoverherknees.
“Whatdoyouknowofthoseevents?”sheasked.
“AllthatMrs.Clementscouldtellme,”Ianswered.
Therewasamomentaryflushonherfirmsquareface,amomentarystillnessinherrestlesshands,whichseemedtobetokenacomingoutburstofangerthatmightthrowheroffherguard.
Butno—shemasteredtherisingirritation,leanedbackinherchair,crossedherarmsonherbroadbosom,andwithasmileofgrimsarcasmonherthicklips,lookedatmeassteadilyasever.
“Ah!Ibegintounderstanditallnow,”shesaid,hertamedanddisciplinedangeronlyexpressingitselfintheelaboratemockeryofhertoneandmanner.
“YouhavegotagrudgeofyourownagainstSirPercivalGlyde,andImusthelpyoutowreakit.
Imusttellyouthis,that,andtheotheraboutSirPercivalandmyself,mustI?Yes,indeed?
Youhavebeenpryingintomyprivateaffairs.
Youthinkyouhavefoundalostwomantodealwith,wholiveshereonsufferance,andwhowilldoanythingyouaskforfearyoumayinjureherintheopinionsofthetown’s-people.
Iseethroughyouandyourpreciousspeculation—Ido!anditamusesme.Ha!ha!”
Shestoppedforamoment,herarmstightenedoverherbosom,andshelaughedtoherself—ahard,harsh,angrylaugh.
“Youdon’tknowhowIhavelivedinthisplace,andwhatIhavedoneinthisplace,Mr.What’s-your-name,”shewenton.
“I’lltellyou,beforeIringthebellandhaveyoushownout.
Icamehereawrongedwoman—Icamehererobbedofmycharacteranddeterminedtoclaimitback.
I’vebeenyearsandyearsaboutit—andIHAVEclaimeditback.
Ihavematchedtherespectablepeoplefairlyandopenlyontheirownground.
Iftheysayanythingagainstmenowtheymustsayitinsecret—theycan’tsayit,theydaren’tsayit,openly.
Istandhighenoughinthistowntobeoutofyourreach.THECLERGYMANBOWSTOME.Aha!
youdidn’tbargainforthatwhenyoucamehere.
Gotothechurchandinquireaboutme—youwillfindMrs.Catherickhashersittingliketherestofthem,andpaystherentonthedayit’sdue.Gotothetown-hall.
There’sapetitionlyingthere—apetitionoftherespectableinhabitantsagainstallowingacircustocomeandperformhereandcorruptourmorals—yes!OURmorals.Isignedthatpetitionthismorning.Gotothebookseller’sshop.
Theclergyman’sWednesdayeveningLecturesonJustificationbyFaitharepublishingtherebysubscription—I’mdownonthelist.
Thedoctor’swifeonlyputashillingintheplateatourlastcharitysermon—Iputhalf-a-crown.
Mr.ChurchwardenSowardheldtheplate,andbowedtome.
TenyearsagohetoldPigrumthechemistIoughttobewhippedoutofthetownatthecart’stail.Isyourmotheralive?
HasshegotabetterBibleonhertablethanIhavegotonmine?
Doesshestandbetterwithhertrades-peoplethanIdowithmine?Hasshealwayslivedwithinherincome?Ihavealwayslivedwithinmine.Ah!
thereIStheclergymancomingalongthesquare.
Look,Mr.What’s-your-name—look,ifyouplease!”
Shestartedupwiththeactivityofayoungwoman,wenttothewindow,waitedtilltheclergymanpassed,andbowedtohimsolemnly.
Theclergymanceremoniouslyraisedhishat,andwalkedon.
Mrs.Catherickreturnedtoherchair,andlookedatmewithagrimmersarcasmthanever.
“There!”shesaid.“Whatdoyouthinkofthatforawomanwithalostcharacter?Howdoesyourspeculationlooknow?”
Thesingularmannerinwhichshehadchosentoassertherself,theextraordinarypracticalvindicationofherpositioninthetownwhichshehadjustoffered,hadsoperplexedmethatIlistenedtoherinsilentsurprise.
Iwasnotthelessresolved,however,tomakeanotherefforttothrowheroffherguard.
Ifthewoman’sfiercetemperoncegotbeyondhercontrol,andonceflamedoutonme,shemightyetsaythewordswhichwouldputtheclueinmyhands.
“Howdoesyourspeculationlooknow?”sherepeated.
“ExactlyasitlookedwhenIfirstcamein,”Ianswered.
“Idon’tdoubtthepositionyouhavegainedinthetown,andIdon’twishtoassailitevenifIcould.
IcameherebecauseSirPercivalGlydeis,tomycertainknowledge,yourenemy,aswellasmine.
IfIhaveagrudgeagainsthim,youhaveagrudgeagainsthimtoo.
Youmaydenyitifyoulike,youmaydistrustmeasmuchasyouplease,youmaybeasangryasyouwill—but,ofallthewomeninEngland,you,ifyouhaveanysenseofinjury,arethewomanwhooughttohelpmetocrushthatman.”
“Crushhimforyourself,”shesaid;“thencomebackhere,andseewhatIsaytoyou.”
Shespokethosewordsasshehadnotspokenyet,quickly,fiercely,vindictively.
Ihadstirredinitslairtheserpent-hatredofyears,butonlyforamoment.
LikealurkingreptileitleapedupatmeassheeagerlybentforwardtowardstheplaceinwhichIwassitting.
Likealurkingreptileitdroppedoutofsightagainassheinstantlyresumedherformerpositioninthechair.
“Youwon’ttrustme?”Isaid.
“No.”
“Youareafraid?”
“DoIlookasifIwas?”
“YouareafraidofSirPercivalGlyde?”
“AmI?”
Hercolourwasrising,andherhandswereatworkagainsmoothinghergown.Ipressedthepointfartherandfartherhome,Iwentonwithoutallowingheramomentofdelay.
“SirPercivalhasahighpositionintheworld,”Isaid;“itwouldbenowonderifyouwereafraidofhim.
SirPercivalisapowerfulman,abaronet,thepossessorofafineestate,thedescendantofagreatfamily——”
Sheamazedmebeyondexpressionbysuddenlyburstingoutlaughing.
“Yes,”sherepeated,intonesofthebitterest,steadiestcontempt.
“Abaronet,thepossessorofafineestate,thedescendantofagreatfamily.Yes,indeed!
Agreatfamily—especiallybythemother’sside.”
Therewasnotimetoreflectonthewordsthathadjustescapedher,therewasonlytimetofeelthattheywerewellworththinkingoverthemomentIleftthehouse.
“Iamnotheretodisputewithyouaboutfamilyquestions,”Isaid.“IknownothingofSirPercival’smother——”
“AndyouknowaslittleofSirPercivalhimself,”sheinterposedsharply.
“Iadviseyounottobetoosureofthat,”Irejoined.“Iknowsomethingsabouthim,andIsuspectmanymore.”
“Whatdoyoususpect?”
“I’lltellyouwhatIDON’Tsuspect.IDON’TsuspecthimofbeingAnne’sfather.”
Shestartedtoherfeet,andcamecloseuptomewithalookoffury.
“HowdareyoutalktomeaboutAnne’sfather!Howdareyousaywhowasherfather,orwhowasn’t!”shebrokeout,herfacequivering,hervoicetremblingwithpassion.
“ThesecretbetweenyouandSirPercivalisnotTHATsecret,”Ipersisted.
“ThemysterywhichdarkensSirPercival’slifewasnotbornwithyourdaughter’sbirth,andhasnotdiedwithyourdaughter’sdeath.”
Shedrewbackastep.“Go!”shesaid,andpointedsternlytothedoor.
“Therewasnothoughtofthechildinyourheartorinhis,’Iwenton,determinedtopressherbacktoherlastdefences.
“Therewasnobondofguiltylovebetweenyouandhimwhenyouheldthosestolenmeetings,whenyourhusbandfoundyouwhisperingtogetherunderthevestryofthechurch.”
Herpointinghandinstantlydroppedtoherside,andthedeepflushofangerfadedfromherfacewhileIspoke.
Isawthechangepassoverher—Isawthathard,firm,fearless,self-possessedwomanquailunderaterrorwhichherutmostresolutionwasnotstrongenoughtoresistwhenIsaidthosefivelastwords,“thevestryofthechurch.”
Foraminuteormorewestoodlookingateachotherinsilence.Ispokefirst.
“Doyoustillrefusetotrustme?”Iasked.
Shecouldnotcallthecolourthathadleftitbacktoherface,butshehadsteadiedhervoice,shehadrecoveredthedefiantself-possessionofhermannerwhensheansweredme.
“Idorefuse,”shesaid.
“Doyoustilltellmetogo?”
“Yes.Go—andnevercomeback.”
Iwalkedtothedoor,waitedamomentbeforeIopenedit,andturnedroundtolookatheragain.
“ImayhavenewstobringyouofSirPercivalwhichyoudon’texpect,”Isaid,“andinthatcaseIshallcomeback.”
“ThereisnonewsofSirPercivalthatIdon’texpect,except——”
Shestopped,herpalefacedarkened,andshestolebackwithaquiet,stealthy,cat-likesteptoherchair.
“Exceptthenewsofhisdeath,”shesaid,sittingdownagain,withthemockeryofasmilejusthoveringonhercruellips,andthefurtivelightofhatredlurkingdeepinhersteadyeyes.
AsIopenedthedooroftheroomtogoout,shelookedroundatmequickly.
Thecruelsmileslowlywidenedherlips—sheeyedme,withastrangestealthyinterest,fromheadtofoot—anunutterableexpectationshoweditselfwickedlyalloverherface.
Wasshespeculating,inthesecrecyofherownheart,onmyyouthandstrength,ontheforceofmysenseofinjuryandthelimitsofmyself-control,andwassheconsideringthelengthstowhichtheymightcarryme,ifSirPercivalandIeverchancedtomeet?
Thebaredoubtthatitmightbesodrovemefromherpresence,andsilencedeventhecommonformsoffarewellonmylips.
Withoutawordmore,onmysideoronhers,Ilefttheroom.
AsIopenedtheouterdoor,Isawthesameclergymanwhohadalreadypassedthehouseonce,abouttopassitagain,onhiswaybackthroughthesquare.
Iwaitedonthedoor-steptolethimgoby,andlookedround,asIdidso,attheparlourwindow.
Mrs.Catherickhadheardhisfootstepsapproaching,inthesilenceofthatlonelyplace,andshewasonherfeetatthewindowagain,waitingforhim.
NotallthestrengthofalltheterriblepassionsIhadrousedinthatwoman’sheart,couldloosenherdesperateholdontheonefragmentofsocialconsiderationwhichyearsofresoluteefforthadjustdraggedwithinhergrasp.
Thereshewasagain,notaminuteafterIhadlefther,placedpurposelyinapositionwhichmadeitamatterofcommoncourtesyonthepartoftheclergymantobowtoherforasecondtime.Heraisedhishatoncemore.
Isawthehardghastlyfacebehindthewindowsoften,andlightupwithgratifiedpride—Isawtheheadwiththegrimblackcapbendceremoniouslyinreturn.
Theclergymanhadbowedtoher,andinmypresence,twiceinoneday!
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