English
THESTORYCONTINUEDBYISIDOROTTAVIOBALDASSAREFOSCO
(CountoftheHolyRomanEmpire,KnightGrandCrossoftheOrderoftheBrazenCrown,PerpetualArch-MasteroftheRosicrucianMasonsofMesopotamia;Attached(inHonoraryCapacities)toSocietiesMusical,SocietiesMedical,SocietiesPhilosophical,andSocietiesGeneralBenevolent,throughoutEurope;etc.etc.etc.)
THECOUNT’SNARRATIVE
InthesummerofeighteenhundredandfiftyIarrivedinEngland,chargedwithadelicatepoliticalmissionfromabroad.
Confidentialpersonsweresemi-officiallyconnectedwithme,whoseexertionsIwasauthorisedtodirect,MonsieurandMadameRubellebeingamongthenumber.
Someweeksofsparetimewereatmydisposal,beforeIenteredonmyfunctionsbyestablishingmyselfinthesuburbsofLondon.
Curiositymaystopheretoaskforsomeexplanationofthosefunctionsonmypart.Ientirelysympathisewiththerequest.
Ialsoregretthatdiplomaticreserveforbidsmetocomplywithit.
Iarrangedtopassthepreliminaryperiodofrepose,towhichIhavejustreferred,inthesuperbmansionofmylatelamentedfriend,SirPercivalGlyde.
HEarrivedfromtheContinentwithhiswife.IarrivedfromtheContinentwithMINE.
Englandisthelandofdomestichappiness—howappropriatelyweentereditunderthesedomesticcircumstances!
ThebondoffriendshipwhichunitedPercivalandmyselfwasstrengthened,onthisoccasion,byatouchingsimilarityinthepecuniarypositiononhissideandonmine.Webothwantedmoney.Immensenecessity!Universalwant!
Isthereacivilisedhumanbeingwhodoesnotfeelforus?Howinsensiblemustthatmanbe!Orhowrich!
Ienterintonosordidparticulars,indiscussingthispartofthesubject.Mymindrecoilsfromthem.
WithaRomanausterity,IshowmyemptypurseandPercival’stotheshrinkingpublicgaze.
Letusallowthedeplorablefacttoassertitself,onceforall,inthatmanner,andpasson.
Wewerereceivedatthemansionbythemagnificentcreaturewhoisinscribedonmyheartas“Marian,”whoisknowninthecolderatmosphereofsocietyas“MissHalcombe.”
JustHeaven!withwhatinconceivablerapidityIlearnttoadorethatwoman.
Atsixty,Iworshippedherwiththevolcanicardourofeighteen.
Allthegoldofmyrichnaturewaspouredhopelesslyatherfeet.Mywife—poorangel!
—mywife,whoadoresme,gotnothingbuttheshillingsandthepennies.SuchistheWorld,suchMan,suchLove.
Whatarewe(Iask)butpuppetsinashow-box?
Oh,omnipotentDestiny,pullourstringsgently!
Danceusmercifullyoffourmiserablelittlestage!
Theprecedinglines,rightlyunderstood,expressanentiresystemofphilosophy.Itismine.
Iresume.
ThedomesticpositionatthecommencementofourresidenceatBlackwaterParkhasbeendrawnwithamazingaccuracy,withprofoundmentalinsight,bythehandofMarianherself.
(PassmetheintoxicatingfamiliarityofmentioningthissublimecreaturebyherChristianname.)
Accurateknowledgeofthecontentsofherjournal—towhichIobtainedaccessbyclandestinemeans,unspeakablyprecioustomeintheremembrance—warnsmyeagerpenfromtopicswhichthisessentiallyexhaustivewomanhasalreadymadeherown.
Theinterests—interests,breathlessandimmense!—withwhichIamhereconcerned,beginwiththedeplorablecalamityofMarian’sillness.
Thesituationatthisperiodwasemphaticallyaseriousone.
Largesumsofmoney,dueatacertaintime,werewantedbyPercival(Isaynothingofthemodicumequallynecessarytomyself),andtheonesourcetolooktoforsupplyingthemwasthefortuneofhiswife,ofwhichnotonefarthingwasathisdisposaluntilherdeath.Badsofar,andworsestillfartheron.
Mylamentedfriendhadprivatetroublesofhisown,intowhichthedelicacyofmydisinterestedattachmenttohimforbademefrominquiringtoocuriously.
Iknewnothingbutthatawoman,namedAnneCatherick,washiddenintheneighbourhood,thatshewasincommunicationwithLadyGlyde,andthatthedisclosureofasecret,whichwouldbethecertainruinofPercival,mightbetheresult.
Hehadtoldmehimselfthathewasalostman,unlesshiswifewassilenced,andunlessAnneCatherickwasfound.
Ifhewasalostman,whatwouldbecomeofourpecuniaryinterests?
CourageousasIambynature,Iabsolutelytrembledattheidea!
ThewholeforceofmyintelligencewasnowdirectedtothefindingofAnneCatherick.
Ourmoneyaffairs,importantastheywere,admittedofdelay—butthenecessityofdiscoveringthewomanadmittedofnone.
Ionlyknewherbydescription,aspresentinganextraordinarypersonalresemblancetoLadyGlyde.
Thestatementofthiscuriousfact—intendedmerelytoassistmeinidentifyingthepersonofwhomwewereinsearch—whencoupledwiththeadditionalinformationthatAnneCatherickhadescapedfromamad-house,startedthefirstimmenseconceptioninmymind,whichsubsequentlyledtosuchamazingresults.
Thatconceptioninvolvednothinglessthanthecompletetransformationoftwoseparateidentities.
LadyGlydeandAnneCatherickweretochangenames,places,anddestinies,theonewiththeother—theprodigiousconsequencescontemplatedbythechangebeingthegainofthirtythousandpounds,andtheeternalpreservationofSirPercival’ssecret.
Myinstincts(whichseldomerr)suggestedtome,onreviewingthecircumstances,thatourinvisibleAnnewould,soonerorlater,returntotheboat-houseattheBlackwaterlake.
ThereIpostedmyself,previouslymentioningtoMrs.Michelson,thehousekeeper,thatImightbefoundwhenwanted,immersedinstudy,inthatsolitaryplace.
Itismyrulenevertomakeunnecessarymysteries,andnevertosetpeoplesuspectingmeforwantofalittleseasonablecandouronmypart.
Mrs.Michelsonbelievedinmefromfirsttolast.
Thisladylikeperson(widowofaProtestantpriest)overflowedwithfaith.
Touchedbysuchsuperfluityofsimpleconfidenceinawomanofhermatureyears,Iopenedtheamplereservoirsofmynatureandabsorbeditall.
Iwasrewardedforpostingmyselfsentinelatthelakebytheappearance—notofAnneCatherickherself,butofthepersoninchargeofher.
Thisindividualalsooverflowedwithsimplefaith,whichIabsorbedinmyself,asinthecasealreadymentioned.
Ileavehertodescribethecircumstances(ifshehasnotdonesoalready)underwhichsheintroducedmetotheobjectofhermaternalcare.
WhenIfirstsawAnneCatherickshewasasleep.
IwaselectrifiedbythelikenessbetweenthisunhappywomanandLadyGlyde.
Thedetailsofthegrandschemewhichhadsuggestedthemselvesinoutlineonly,uptothatperiod,occurredtome,inalltheirmasterlycombination,atthesightofthesleepingface.
Atthesametime,myheart,alwaysaccessibletotenderinfluences,dissolvedintearsatthespectacleofsufferingbeforeme.
Iinstantlysetmyselftoimpartrelief.
Inotherwords,IprovidedthenecessarystimulantforstrengtheningAnneCathericktoperformthejourneytoLondon.
Thebestyearsofmylifehavebeenpassedintheardentstudyofmedicalandchemicalscience.
Chemistryespeciallyhasalwayshadirresistibleattractionsformefromtheenormous,theillimitablepowerwhichtheknowledgeofitconfers.
Chemists—Iassertitemphatically—mightsway,iftheypleased,thedestiniesofhumanity.
LetmeexplainthisbeforeIgofurther.
Mind,theysay,rulestheworld.Butwhatrulesthemind?
Thebody(followmecloselyhere)liesatthemercyofthemostomnipotentofallpotentates—theChemist.
Giveme—Fosco—chemistry;andwhenShakespearehasconceivedHamlet,andsitsdowntoexecutetheconception—withafewgrainsofpowderdroppedintohisdailyfood,Iwillreducehismind,bytheactionofhisbody,tillhispenpoursoutthemostabjectdrivelthathaseverdegradedpaper.
Undersimilarcircumstances,revivemetheillustriousNewton.
IguaranteethatwhenheseestheapplefallheshallEATIT,insteadofdiscoveringtheprincipleofgravitation.
Nero’sdinnershalltransformNerointothemildestofmenbeforehehasdonedigestingit,andthemorningdraughtofAlexandertheGreatshallmakeAlexanderrunforhislifeatthefirstsightoftheenemythesameafternoon.
OnmysacredwordofhonouritisluckyforSocietythatmodernchemistsare,byincomprehensiblegoodfortune,themostharmlessofmankind.
Themassareworthyfathersoffamilies,whokeepshops.
Thefewarephilosophersbesottedwithadmirationforthesoundoftheirownlecturingvoices,visionarieswhowastetheirlivesonfantasticimpossibilities,orquackswhoseambitionsoarsnohigherthanourcorns.
ThusSocietyescapes,andtheillimitablepowerofChemistryremainstheslaveofthemostsuperficialandthemostinsignificantends.
Whythisoutburst?Whythiswitheringeloquence?
Becausemyconducthasbeenmisrepresented,becausemymotiveshavebeenmisunderstood.
IthasbeenassumedthatIusedmyvastchemicalresourcesagainstAnneCatherick,andthatIwouldhaveusedthemifIcouldagainstthemagnificentMarianherself.Odiousinsinuationsboth!
Allmyinterestswereconcerned(aswillbeseenpresently)inthepreservationofAnneCatherick’slife.
AllmyanxietieswereconcentratedonMarian’srescuefromthehandsofthelicensedimbecilewhoattendedher,andwhofoundmyadviceconfirmedfromfirsttolastbythephysicianfromLondon.
Ontwooccasionsonly—bothequallyharmlesstotheindividualonwhomIpractised—didIsummontomyselftheassistanceofchemicalknowledge.
Onthefirstofthetwo,afterfollowingMariantotheinnatBlackwater(studying,behindaconvenientwaggonwhichhidmefromher,thepoetryofmotion,asembodiedinherwalk),Iavailedmyselfoftheservicesofmyinvaluablewife,tocopyoneandtointercepttheotheroftwoletterswhichmyadoredenemyhadentrustedtoadiscardedmaid.
Inthiscase,thelettersbeinginthebosomofthegirl’sdress,MadameFoscocouldonlyopenthem,readthem,performherinstructions,sealthem,andputthembackagainbyscientificassistance—whichassistanceIrenderedinahalf-ouncebottle.
Thesecondoccasion,whenthesamemeanswereemployed,wastheoccasion(towhichIshallsoonrefer)ofLadyGlyde’sarrivalinLondon.
NeveratanyothertimewasIindebtedtomyArtasdistinguishedfrommyself.
Toallotheremergenciesandcomplicationsmynaturalcapacityforgrappling,single-handed,withcircumstances,wasinvariablyequal.
Iaffirmtheall-pervadingintelligenceofthatcapacity.
AttheexpenseoftheChemistIvindicatetheMan.
Respectthisoutburstofgenerousindignation.Ithasinexpressiblyrelievedme.Enroute!Letusproceed.
HavingsuggestedtoMrs.Clement(orClements,Iamnotsurewhich)thatthebestmethodofkeepingAnneoutofPercival’sreachwastoremovehertoLondon—havingfoundthatmyproposalwaseagerlyreceived,andhavingappointedadaytomeetthetravellersatthestationandtoseethemleaveit,Iwasatlibertytoreturntothehouseandtoconfrontthedifficultieswhichstillremainedtobemet.
Myfirstproceedingwastoavailmyselfofthesublimedevotionofmywife.
IhadarrangedwithMrs.ClementsthatsheshouldcommunicateherLondonaddress,inAnne’sinterests,toLadyGlyde.Butthiswasnotenough.
DesigningpersonsinmyabsencemightshakethesimpleconfidenceofMrs.Clements,andshemightnotwriteafterall.
WhocouldIfindcapableoftravellingtoLondonbythetrainshetravelledby,andofprivatelyseeingherhome?Iaskedmyselfthisquestion.
Theconjugalpartofmeimmediatelyanswered—MadameFosco.
Afterdecidingonmywife’smissiontoLondon,Iarrangedthatthejourneyshouldserveadoublepurpose.
AnurseforthesufferingMarian,equallydevotedtothepatientandtomyself,wasanecessityofmyposition.
Oneofthemosteminentlyconfidentialandcapablewomeninexistencewasbygoodfortuneatmydisposal.
Irefertothatrespectablematron,MadameRubelle,towhomIaddressedaletter,atherresidenceinLondon,bythehandsofmywife.
OntheappointeddayMrs.ClementsandAnneCatherickmetmeatthestation.
Ipolitelysawthemoff,IpolitelysawMadameFoscooffbythesametrain.
ThelastthingatnightmywifereturnedtoBlackwater,havingfollowedherinstructionswiththemostunimpeachableaccuracy.
ShewasaccompaniedbyMadameRubelle,andshebroughtmetheLondonaddressofMrs.Clements.
After-eventsprovedthislastprecautiontohavebeenunnecessary.
Mrs.ClementspunctuallyinformedLadyGlydeofherplaceofabode.
Withawaryeyeonfutureemergencies,Ikepttheletter.
ThesamedayIhadabriefinterviewwiththedoctor,atwhichIprotested,inthesacredinterestsofhumanity,againsthistreatmentofMarian’scase.
Hewasinsolent,asallignorantpeopleare.
Ishowednoresentment,Ideferredquarrellingwithhimtillitwasnecessarytoquarreltosomepurpose.
MynextproceedingwastoleaveBlackwatermyself.
IhadmyLondonresidencetotakeinanticipationofcomingevents.
IhadalsoalittlebusinessofthedomesticsorttotransactwithMr.FrederickFairlie.
IfoundthehouseIwantedinSt.John’sWood.
IfoundMr.FairlieatLimmeridge,Cumberland.
MyownprivatefamiliaritywiththenatureofMarian’scorrespondencehadpreviouslyinformedmethatshehadwrittentoMr.Fairlie,proposing,asarelieftoLadyGlyde’smatrimonialembarrassments,totakeheronavisittoheruncleinCumberland.
ThisletterIhadwiselyallowedtoreachitsdestination,feelingatthetimethatitcoulddonoharm,andmightdogood.
InowpresentedmyselfbeforeMr.FairlietosupportMarian’sownproposal—withcertainmodificationswhich,happilyforthesuccessofmyplans,wererenderedreallyinevitablebyherillness.
ItwasnecessarythatLadyGlydeshouldleaveBlackwateralone,byheruncle’sinvitation,andthatsheshouldrestanightonthejourneyatheraunt’shouse(thehouseIhadinSt.John’sWood)byheruncle’sexpressadvice.
Toachievetheseresults,andtosecureanoteofinvitationwhichcouldbeshowntoLadyGlyde,weretheobjectsofmyvisittoMr.Fairlie.
WhenIhavementionedthatthisgentlemanwasequallyfeebleinmindandbody,andthatIletloosethewholeforceofmycharacteronhim,Ihavesaidenough.Icame,saw,andconqueredFairlie.
OnmyreturntoBlackwaterPark(withtheletterofinvitation)Ifoundthatthedoctor’simbeciletreatmentofMarian’scasehadledtothemostalarmingresults.Thefeverhadturnedtotyphus.
LadyGlyde,onthedayofmyreturn,triedtoforceherselfintotheroomtonursehersister.
SheandIhadnoaffinitiesofsympathy—shehadcommittedtheunpardonableoutrageonmysensibilitiesofcallingmeaspy—shewasastumbling-blockinmywayandinPercival’s—but,forallthat,mymagnanimityforbademetoputherindangerofinfectionwithmyownhand.
AtthesametimeIofferednohindrancetoherputtingherselfindanger.
Ifshehadsucceededindoingso,theintricateknotwhichIwasslowlyandpatientlyoperatingonmightperhapshavebeencutbycircumstances.
Asitwas,thedoctorinterferedandshewaskeptoutoftheroom.
IhadmyselfpreviouslyrecommendedsendingforadvicetoLondon.Thiscoursehadbeennowtaken.
Thephysician,onhisarrival,confirmedmyviewofthecase.Thecrisiswasserious.
Butwehadhopeofourcharmingpatientonthefifthdayfromtheappearanceofthetyphus.
IwasonlyonceabsentfromBlackwateratthistime—whenIwenttoLondonbythemorningtraintomakethefinalarrangementsatmyhouseinSt.John’sWood,toassuremyselfbyprivateinquirythatMrs.Clementshadnotmoved,andtosettleoneortwolittlepreliminarymatterswiththehusbandofMadameRubelle.Ireturnedatnight.
FivedaysafterwardsthephysicianpronouncedourinterestingMariantobeoutofalldanger,andtobeinneedofnothingbutcarefulnursing.ThiswasthetimeIhadwaitedfor.
Nowthatmedicalattendancewasnolongerindispensable,Iplayedthefirstmoveinthegamebyassertingmyselfagainstthedoctor.
Hewasoneamongmanywitnessesinmywaywhomitwasnecessarytoremove.
Alivelyaltercationbetweenus(inwhichPercival,previouslyinstructedbyme,refusedtointerfere)servedthepurposeinview.
Idescendedonthemiserablemaninanirresistibleavalancheofindignation,andswepthimfromthehouse.
Theservantswerethenextencumbrancestogetridof.
AgainIinstructedPercival(whosemoralcouragerequiredperpetualstimulants),andMrs.Michelsonwasamazed,oneday,byhearingfromhermasterthattheestablishmentwastobebrokenup.
Weclearedthehouseofalltheservantsbutone,whowaskeptfordomesticpurposes,andwhoselumpishstupiditywecouldtrusttomakenoembarrassingdiscoveries.
Whentheyweregone,nothingremainedbuttorelieveourselvesofMrs.Michelson—aresultwhichwaseasilyachievedbysendingthisamiableladytofindlodgingsforhermistressatthesea-side.
Thecircumstanceswerenowexactlywhattheywererequiredtobe.
LadyGlydewasconfinedtoherroombynervousillness,andthelumpishhousemaid(Iforgethername)wasshutupthereatnightinattendanceonhermistress.
Marian,thoughfastrecovering,stillkeptherbed,withMrs.Rubellefornurse.
Nootherlivingcreaturesbutmywife,myself,andPercivalwereinthehouse.
WithallthechancesthusinourfavourIconfrontedthenextemergency,andplayedthesecondmoveinthegame.
TheobjectofthesecondmovewastoinduceLadyGlydetoleaveBlackwaterunaccompaniedbyhersister.
UnlesswecouldpersuadeherthatMarianhadgoneontoCumberlandfirst,therewasnochanceofremovingher,ofherownfreewill,fromthehouse.
Toproducethisnecessaryoperationinhermind,weconcealedourinterestinginvalidinoneoftheuninhabitedbedroomsatBlackwater.
AtthedeadofnightMadameFosco,MadameRubelle,andmyself(Percivalnotbeingcoolenoughtobetrusted)accomplishedtheconcealment.
Thescenewaspicturesque,mysterious,dramaticinthehighestdegree.
Bymydirectionsthebedhadbeenmade,inthemorning,onastrongmovableframeworkofwood.
Wehadonlytolifttheframeworkgentlyattheheadandfoot,andtotransportourpatientwherewepleased,withoutdisturbingherselforherbed.
Nochemicalassistancewasneededorusedinthiscase.
OurinterestingMarianlayinthedeepreposeofconvalescence.
Weplacedthecandlesandopenedthedoorsbeforehand.
I,inrightofmygreatpersonalstrength,tooktheheadoftheframework—mywifeandMadameRubelletookthefoot.
Iboremyshareofthatinestimablypreciousburdenwithamanlytenderness,withafatherlycare.
WhereisthemodernRembrandtwhocoulddepictourmidnightprocession?AlasfortheArts!
alasforthismostpictorialofsubjects!
ThemodernRembrandtisnowheretobefound.
ThenextmorningmywifeandIstartedforLondon,leavingMariansecluded,intheuninhabitedmiddleofthehouse,undercareofMadameRubelle,whokindlyconsentedtoimprisonherselfwithherpatientfortwoorthreedays.
BeforetakingourdepartureIgavePercivalMr.Fairlie’sletterofinvitationtohisniece(instructinghertosleeponthejourneytoCumberlandatheraunt’shouse),withdirectionstoshowittoLadyGlydeonhearingfromme.
IalsoobtainedfromhimtheaddressoftheAsyluminwhichAnneCatherickhadbeenconfined,andalettertotheproprietor,announcingtothatgentlemanthereturnofhisrunawaypatienttomedicalcare.
Ihadarranged,atmylastvisittothemetropolis,tohaveourmodestdomesticestablishmentreadytoreceiveuswhenwearrivedinLondonbytheearlytrain.
Inconsequenceofthiswiseprecaution,wewereenabledthatsamedaytoplaythethirdmoveinthegame—thegettingpossessionofAnneCatherick.
Datesareofimportancehere.IcombineinmyselftheoppositecharacteristicsofaManofSentimentandaManofBusiness.Ihaveallthedatesatmyfingers’ends.
OnWednesday,the24thofJuly1850,IsentmywifeinacabtoclearMrs.Clementsoutoftheway,inthefirstplace.
AsupposedmessagefromLadyGlydeinLondonwassufficienttoobtainthisresult.
Mrs.Clementswastakenawayinthecab,andwasleftinthecab,whilemywife(onpretenceofpurchasingsomethingatashop)gavehertheslip,andreturnedtoreceiveherexpectedvisitoratourhouseinSt.John’sWood.
Itishardlynecessarytoaddthatthevisitorhadbeendescribedtotheservantsas“LadyGlyde.”
InthemeanwhileIhadfollowedinanothercab,withanoteforAnneCatherick,merelymentioningthatLadyGlydeintendedtokeepMrs.Clementstospendthedaywithher,andthatshewastojointhemundercareofthegoodgentlemanwaitingoutside,whohadalreadysavedherfromdiscoveryinHampshirebySirPercival.
The“goodgentleman”sentinthisnotebyastreetboy,andpausedforresultsadoorortwofartheron.
AtthemomentwhenAnneappearedatthehousedoorandcloseditthisexcellentmanhadthecabdooropenreadyforher,absorbedherintothevehicle,anddroveoff.
(Passme,here,oneexclamationinparenthesis.Howinterestingthisis!)
OnthewaytoForestRoadmycompanionshowednofear.
Icanbepaternal—nomanmoreso—whenIplease,andIwasintenselypaternalonthisoccasion.WhattitlesIhadtoherconfidence!
Ihadcompoundedthemedicinewhichhaddonehergood—IhadwarnedherofherdangerfromSirPercival.
PerhapsItrustedtooimplicitlytothesetitles—perhapsIunderratedthekeennessofthelowerinstinctsinpersonsofweakintellect—itiscertainthatIneglectedtopreparehersufficientlyforadisappointmentonenteringmyhouse.
WhenItookherintothedrawing-room—whenshesawnoonepresentbutMadameFosco,whowasastrangertoher—sheexhibitedthemostviolentagitation;ifshehadscenteddangerintheair,asadogscentsthepresenceofsomecreatureunseen,heralarmcouldnothavedisplayeditselfmoresuddenlyandmorecauselessly.Iinterposedinvain.
ThefearfromwhichshewassufferingImighthavesoothed,buttheseriousheart-disease,underwhichshelaboured,wasbeyondthereachofallmoralpalliatives.
Tomyunspeakablehorrorshewasseizedwithconvulsions—ashocktothesystem,inhercondition,whichmighthavelaidherdeadatanymomentatourfeet.
Thenearestdoctorwassentfor,andwastoldthat“LadyGlyde”requiredhisimmediateservices.
Tomyinfiniterelief,hewasacapableman.
Irepresentedmyvisitortohimasapersonofweakintellect,andsubjecttodelusions,andIarrangedthatnonursebutmywifeshouldwatchinthesick-room.
Theunhappywomanwastooill,however,tocauseanyanxietyaboutwhatshemightsay.
TheonedreadwhichnowoppressedmewasthedreadthatthefalseLadyGlydemightdiebeforethetrueLadyGlydearrivedinLondon.
IhadwrittenanoteinthemorningtoMadameRubelle,tellinghertojoinmeatherhusband’shouseontheeveningofFridaythe26th,withanothernotetoPercival,warninghimtoshowhiswifeheruncle’sletterofinvitation,toassertthatMarianhadgoneonbeforeher,andtodespatchhertotownbythemiddaytrain,onthe26th,also.
OnreflectionIhadfeltthenecessity,inAnneCatherick’sstateofhealth,ofprecipitatingevents,andofhavingLadyGlydeatmydisposalearlierthanIhadoriginallycontemplated.
Whatfreshdirections,intheterribleuncertaintyofmyposition,couldInowissue?
Icoulddonothingbuttrusttochanceandthedoctor.
Myemotionsexpressedthemselvesinpatheticapostrophes,whichIwasjustself-possessedenoughtocouple,inthehearingofotherpeople,withthenameof“LadyGlyde.”
InallotherrespectsFosco,onthatmemorableday,wasFoscoshroudedintotaleclipse.
Shepassedabadnight,sheawokewornout,butlaterinthedaysherevivedamazingly.Myelasticspiritsrevivedwithher.
IcouldreceivenoanswersfromPercivalandMadameRubelletillthemorningofthenextday,the26th.
Inanticipationoftheirfollowingmydirections,which,accidentapart,Iknewtheywoulddo,IwenttosecureaflytofetchLadyGlydefromtherailway,directingittobeatmyhouseonthe26th,attwoo’clock.
Afterseeingtheorderenteredinthebook,IwentontoarrangematterswithMonsieurRubelle.
Ialsoprocuredtheservicesoftwogentlemenwhocouldfurnishmewiththenecessarycertificatesoflunacy.
OneofthemIknewpersonally—theotherwasknowntoMonsieurRubelle.
Bothweremenwhosevigorousmindssoaredsuperiortonarrowscruples—bothwerelabouringundertemporaryembarrassments—bothbelievedinME.
Itwaspastfiveo’clockintheafternoonbeforeIreturnedfromtheperformanceoftheseduties.
WhenIgotbackAnneCatherickwasdead.
Deadonthe25th,andLadyGlydewasnottoarriveinLondontillthe26th!
Iwasstunned.Meditateonthat.Foscostunned!
Itwastoolatetoretraceoursteps.Beforemyreturnthedoctorhadofficiouslyundertakentosavemealltroublebyregisteringthedeath,onthedatewhenithappened,withhisownhand.
Mygrandscheme,unassailablehitherto,haditsweakplacenow—noeffortsonmypartcouldalterthefataleventofthe25th.Iturnedmanfullytothefuture.
Percival’sinterestsandminebeingstillatstake,nothingwasleftbuttoplaythegamethroughtotheend.
Irecalledmyimpenetrablecalm—andplayedit.
Onthemorningofthe26thPercival’sletterreachedme,announcinghiswife’sarrivalbythemiddaytrain.
MadameRubellealsowrotetosayshewouldfollowintheevening.
Istartedinthefly,leavingthefalseLadyGlydedeadinthehouse,toreceivethetrueLadyGlydeonherarrivalbytherailwayatthreeo’clock.
Hiddenundertheseatofthecarriage,IcarriedwithmealltheclothesAnneCatherickhadwornoncomingintomyhouse—theyweredestinedtoassisttheresurrectionofthewomanwhowasdeadinthepersonofthewomanwhowasliving.Whatasituation!
IsuggestittotherisingromancewritersofEngland.
Iofferit,astotallynew,totheworn-outdramatistsofFrance.
LadyGlydewasatthestation.Therewasgreatcrowdingandconfusion,andmoredelaythanIliked(incaseanyofherfriendshadhappenedtobeonthespot),inreclaimingherluggage.
Herfirstquestions,aswedroveoff,imploredmetotellhernewsofhersister.
Iinventednewsofthemostpacifyingkind,assuringherthatshewasabouttoseehersisteratmyhouse.
Myhouse,onthisoccasiononly,wasintheneighbourhoodofLeicesterSquare,andwasintheoccupationofMonsieurRubelle,whoreceivedusinthehall.
Itookmyvisitorupstairsintoabackroom,thetwomedicalgentlemenbeingthereinwaitingonthefloorbeneathtoseethepatient,andtogivemetheircertificates.
AfterquietingLadyGlydebythenecessaryassurancesabouthersister,Iintroducedmyfriendsseparatelytoherpresence.
Theyperformedtheformalitiesoftheoccasionbriefly,intelligently,conscientiously.
Ienteredtheroomagainassoonastheyhadleftit,andatonceprecipitatedeventsbyareferenceofthealarmingkindto“MissHalcombe’s”stateofhealth.
ResultsfollowedasIhadanticipated.LadyGlydebecamefrightened,andturnedfaint.
Forthesecondtime,andthelast,IcalledSciencetomyassistance.
Amedicatedglassofwaterandamedicatedbottleofsmelling-saltsrelievedherofallfurtherembarrassmentandalarm.
Additionalapplicationslaterintheeveningprocuredhertheinestimableblessingofagoodnight’srest.
MadameRubellearrivedintimetopresideatLadyGlyde’stoilet.
Herownclothesweretakenawayfromheratnight,andAnneCatherick’swereputonherinthemorning,withthestrictestregardtopropriety,bythematronlyhandsofthegoodRubelle.
ThroughoutthedayIkeptourpatientinastateofpartially-suspendedconsciousness,untilthedexterousassistanceofmymedicalfriendsenabledmetoprocurethenecessaryorderratherearlierthanIhadventuredtohope.
Thatevening(theeveningofthe27th)MadameRubelleandItookourrevived“AnneCatherick”totheAsylum.
Shewasreceivedwithgreatsurprise,butwithoutsuspicion,thankstotheorderandcertificates,toPercival’sletter,tothelikeness,totheclothes,andtothepatient’sownconfusedmentalconditionatthetime.
IreturnedatoncetoassistMadameFoscointhepreparationsfortheburialoftheFalse“LadyGlyde,”havingtheclothesandluggageofthetrue“LadyGlyde”inmypossession.
TheywereafterwardssenttoCumberlandbytheconveyancewhichwasusedforthefuneral.
Iattendedthefuneral,withbecomingdignity,attiredinthedeepestmourning.
Mynarrativeoftheseremarkableevents,writtenunderequallyremarkablecircumstances,closeshere.
TheminorprecautionswhichIobservedincommunicatingwithLimmeridgeHousearealreadyknown,soisthemagnificentsuccessofmyenterprise,soarethesolidpecuniaryresultswhichfollowedit.
Ihavetoassert,withthewholeforceofmyconviction,thattheoneweakplaceinmyschemewouldneverhavebeenfoundoutiftheoneweakplaceinmyhearthadnotbeendiscoveredfirst.
NothingbutmyfataladmirationforMarianrestrainedmefromsteppingintomyownrescuewhensheeffectedhersister’sescape.
Irantherisk,andtrustedinthecompletedestructionofLadyGlyde’sidentity.
IfeitherMarianorMr.Hartrightattemptedtoassertthatidentity,theywouldpubliclyexposethemselvestotheimputationofsustainingarankdeception,theywouldbedistrustedanddiscreditedaccordingly,andtheywouldthereforebepowerlesstoplacemyinterestsorPercival’ssecretinjeopardy.
Icommittedoneerrorintrustingmyselftosuchablindfoldcalculationofchancesasthis.
IcommittedanotherwhenPercivalhadpaidthepenaltyofhisownobstinacyandviolence,bygrantingLadyGlydeasecondreprievefromthemad-house,andallowingMr.Hartrightasecondchanceofescapingme.
Inbrief,Fosco,atthisseriouscrisis,wasuntruetohimself.Deplorableanduncharacteristicfault!
Beholdthecause,inmyheart—behold,intheimageofMarianHalcombe,thefirstandlastweaknessofFosco’slife!
Attheripeageofsixty,Imakethisunparalleledconfession.Youths!Iinvokeyoursympathy.Maidens!Iclaimyourtears.
Awordmore,andtheattentionofthereader(concentratedbreathlesslyonmyself)shallbereleased.
Myownmentalinsightinformsmethatthreeinevitablequestionswillbeaskedherebypersonsofinquiringminds.Theyshallbestated—theyshallbeanswered.
Firstquestion.WhatisthesecretofMadameFosco’sunhesitatingdevotionofherselftothefulfilmentofmyboldestwishes,tothefurtheranceofmydeepestplans?
Imightanswerthisbysimplyreferringtomyowncharacter,andbyasking,inmyturn,Where,inthehistoryoftheworld,hasamanofmyordereverbeenfoundwithoutawomaninthebackgroundself-immolatedonthealtarofhislife?
ButIrememberthatIamwritinginEngland,IrememberthatIwasmarriedinEngland,andIaskifawoman’smarriageobligationsinthiscountryprovideforherprivateopinionofherhusband’sprinciples?No!
Theychargeherunreservedlytolove,honour,andobeyhim.Thatisexactlywhatmywifehasdone.
Istandhereonasuprememoralelevation,andIloftilyassertheraccurateperformanceofherconjugalduties.Silence,Calumny!
Yoursympathy,WivesofEngland,forMadameFosco!
Secondquestion.IfAnneCatherickhadnotdiedwhenshedid,whatshouldIhavedone?
Ishould,inthatcase,haveassistedworn-outNatureinfindingpermanentrepose.
IshouldhaveopenedthedoorsofthePrisonofLife,andhaveextendedtothecaptive(incurablyafflictedinmindandbodyboth)ahappyrelease.
Thirdquestion.Onacalmrevisionofallthecircumstances—Ismyconductworthyofanyseriousblame?Mostemphatically,No!
HaveInotcarefullyavoidedexposingmyselftotheodiumofcommittingunnecessarycrime?
Withmyvastresourcesinchemistry,ImighthavetakenLadyGlyde’slife.
AtimmensepersonalsacrificeIfollowedthedictatesofmyowningenuity,myownhumanity,myowncaution,andtookheridentityinstead.JudgemebywhatImighthavedone.Howcomparativelyinnocent!
howindirectlyvirtuousIappearinwhatIreallydid!
Iannouncedonbeginningitthatthisnarrativewouldbearemarkabledocument.
Ithasentirelyansweredmyexpectations.
Receivethesefervidlines—mylatlegacytothecountryIleaveforever.
Theyareworthyoftheoccasion,andworthyof
FOSCO.
Share this article to
FINISH