第7章

类别:其他 作者:Wilkie Collins字数:42579更新时间:18/12/21 16:26:06
THESTORYCONTINUEDBYMARIANHALCOMBEBLACKWATERPARK,HAMPSHIRE。 June11th,1850——Sixmonthstolookbackon——sixlong,lonelymonthssinceLauraandIlastsaweachother! HowmanydayshaveIstilltowait?Onlyone!Tomorrow,thetwelfth,thetravellersreturntoEngland。Icanhardlyrealisemyownhappiness——Icanhardlybelievethatthenextfour-and-twentyhourswillcompletethelastdayofseparationbetweenLauraandme。 SheandherhusbandhavebeeninItalyallthewinter,andafterwardsintheTyrol。Theycomehack,accompaniedbyCountFoscoandhiswife,whoproposetosettlesomewhereintheneighbourhoodofLondon,andwhohaveengagedtostayatBlackwaterParkforthesummermonthsbeforedecidingonaplaceofresidence。SolongasLaurareturns,nomatterwhoreturnswithher。SirPercivalmayfillthehousefromfloortoceiling,ifhelikes,onconditionthathiswifeandIinhabitittogether。 Meanwhile,hereIam,establishedatBlackwaterPark,`theancientandinterestingseat’(asthecountyhistoryobliginglyinformsme)`ofSirPercivalGlyde,Bart。,’andthefutureabiding-place(asImaynowventuretoaddonmyaccount)ofplainMarianHalcombe,spinster,nowsettledinasnuglittlesitting-room,withacupofteabyherside,andallherearthlypossessionsrangedroundherinthreeboxesandabag。 IleftLimmeridgeyesterday,havingreceivedLaura’sdelightfulletterfromParisthedaybefore。IhadbeenpreviouslyuncertainwhetherIwastomeettheminLondonorinHampshire,butthislastletterinformedmethatSirPercivalproposedtolandatSouthampton,andtonavelstraightontohiscountry-house。HehasspentsomuchmoneyabroadthathehasnonelefttodefraytheexpensesoflivinginLondonfortheremainderoftheseason,andheiseconomicallyresolvedtopassthesummerandautumnquietlyatBlackwater。Laurahashadmorethanenoughofexcitementandchangeofscene,andispleasedattheprospectofcountrytranquillityandretirementwhichherhusband’sprudenceprovidesforher。Asforme,Iamreadytobehappyanywhereinhersociety。Weareall,therefore,wellcontentedinourvariousways,tobeginwith。 nightIsleptinLondon,andwasdelayedtheresolongtodaybyvariouscallsandcommissions,thatIdidnotreachBlackwaterthiseveningtillafterdusk。 Judgingbymyvagueimpressionsoftheplacethusfar,itistheexactoppositeofLimmeridge。 Thehouseissituatedonadeadflat,andseemstobeshutin——almostsuffocated,tomynorth-countrynotions,bytrees。Ihaveseennobodybuttheman-servantwhoopenedthedoortome,andthehousekeeper,averycivilperson,whoshowedmethewaytomyownroom,andgotmemytea。Ihaveanicelittleboudoirandbedroom,attheendofalongpassageonthefirstfloor。Theservantsandsomeofthespareroomsareonthesecondfloor,andallthelivingroomsareonthegroundfloor。Ihavenotseenoneofthemyet,andIknownothingaboutthehouse,exceptthatonewingofitissaidtobefivehundredyearsold,thatithadamoatrounditonce,andthatitgetsitsnameofBlackwaterfromalakeinthepark。 Eleveno’clockhasjuststruck,inaghostlyandsolemnmanner,fromaturretoverthecentreofthehouse,whichIsawwhenIcamein。Alargedoghasbeenwoke,apparentlybythesoundofthebell,andishowlingandyawningdrearily,somewhereroundacorner。Ihearechoingfootstepsinthepassagesbelow,andtheironthumpingofboltsandbarsatthehousedoor。Theservantsareevidentlygoingtobed。ShallIfollowtheirexample? No,Iamnothalfsleepyenough。Sleepy,didIsay?IfeelasifIshouldneverclosemyeyesagain。Thebareanticipationofseeingthatdearface,andhearingthatwell-knownvoicetomorrow,keepsmeinaperpetualfeverofexcitement。IfIonlyhadtheprivilegesofaman,IwouldorderoutSirPercival’sbesthorseinstantly,andtearawayonanight-gallop,eastward,tomeettherisingsun——along,hard,heavy,ceaselessgallopofhoursandhours,likethefamoushighwayman’sridetoYork。Being,however,nothingbutawoman,condemnedtopatience,propriety,andpetticoatsforlife,Imustrespectthehousekeeper’sopinions,andtrytocomposemyselfinsomefeebleandfeminineway。 Readingisoutofthequestion——Ican’tfixmyattentiononbooks。LetmetryifIcanwritemyselfintosleepinessandfatigue。Myjournalhasbeenverymuchneglectedoflate。WhatcanIrecall——standing,asInowdo,onthethresholdofanewlife——ofpersonsandevents,ofchancesandchanges,duringthepastsixmonths——thelong,weary,emptyintervalsinceLaura’swedding-day? WalterHartrightisuppermostinmymemory,andhepassesfirstintheshadowyprocessionofmyabsentfriends。Ireceivedafewlinesfromhim,afterthelandingoftheexpeditioninHonduras,writtenmorecheerfullyandhopefullythanhehaswrittenyet。AmonthorsixweekslaterIsawanextractfromanAmericannewspaper,describingthedepartureoftheadventurersontheirinlandjourney。Theywerelastseenenteringawildprimevalforest,eachmanwithhisrifleonhisshoulderandhisbaggageathisback。Sincethattime,civilisationhaslostalltraceofthem。NotalinemorehaveIreceivedfromWalter,notafragmentofnewsfromtheexpeditionhasappearedinanyofthepublicjournals。 Thesamedense,dishearteningobscurityhangsoverthefateandfortunesofAnneCatherick,andhercompanion,MrsClements。Nothingwhateverhasbeenheardofeitherofthem。Whethertheyareinthecountryoroutofit,whethertheyarelivingordead,nooneknows。EvenSirPercival’ssolicitorhaslostallhope,andhasorderedtheuselesssearchafterthefugitivestobefinallygivenup。 OurgoodfriendMrGilmorehasmetwithasadcheckinhisactiveprofessionalcareer。Earlyinthespringwewerealarmedbyhearingthathehadbeenfoundinsensibleathisdesk,andthattheseizurewaspronouncedtobeanapoplecticfit。Hehadbeenlongcomplainingoffulnessandoppressioninthehead,andhisdoctorhadwarnedhimoftheconsequencesthatwouldfollowhispersistencyincontinuingtowork,earlyandlate,asifhewerestillayoungman。Theresultnowisthathehasbeenpositivelyorderedtokeepoutofhisofficeforayeartocome,atleast,andtoseekreposeofbodyandreliefofmindbyaltogetherchanginghisusualmodeoflife。Thebusinessisleft,accordingly,tobecarriedonbyhispartner,andheishimself,atthismoment,awayinGermany,visitingsomerelationswhoaresettledthereinmercantilepursuits。Thusanothertruefriendandtrustworthyadviserislosttous——lost,Iearnestlyhopeandtrust,foratimeonly。 PoorMrsVeseytravelledwithmeasfarasLondon。ItwasimpossibletoabandonhertosolitudeatLimmeridgeafterLauraandIhadbothleftthehouse,andwehavearrangedthatsheistolivewithanunmarriedyoungersisterofhers,whokeepsaschoolatClapham。Sheistocomeherethisautumntovisitherpupil——Imightalmostsayheradoptedchild。Isawthegoodoldladysafetoherdestination,andleftherinthecareofherrelative,quietlyhappyattheprospectofseeingLauraagaininafewmonths’time。 AsforMrFairlie,IbelieveIamguiltyofnoinjusticeifIdescribehimasbeingunutterablyrelievedbyhavingthehouseclearofuswomen。Theideaofhismissinghisnieceissimplypreposterous——heusedtoletmonthspassintheoldtimeswithoutattemptingtoseeher——andinmycaseandMrsVesey’s,Itakeleavetoconsiderhistellingusboththathewashalfheartbrokenatourdeparture,tobeequivalenttoaconfessionthathewassecretlyrejoicedtogetridofus。Hislastcapricehasledhimtokeeptwophotographersincessantlyemployedinproducingsun-picturesofallthetreasuresandcuriositiesinhispossession。OnecompletecopyofthecollectionofthephotographsistobepresentedtotheMechanics’InstitutionofCarlisle,mountedonthefinestcardboard,withostentatiousred-letterinscriptionsunderneath,`MadonnaandChildbyRaphael。InthepossessionofFrederickFairlie,Esquire。’`CoppercoinoftheperiodofTiglathPileser。InthepossessionofFrederickFairlie,Esquire。’`UniqueRembrandtetching。KnownalloverEuropeasTheSmudge,fromaprinter’sblotinthecornerwhichexistsinnoothercopy。Valuedatthreehundredguineas。InthepossessionofFrederickFairlie,Esq。’Dozensofphotographsofthissort,andallinscribedinthismanner,werecompletedbeforeIleftCumberland,andhundredsmoreremaintobedone。Withthisnewinteresttooccupyhim,MrFairliewillbeahappymanformonthsandmonthstocome,andthetwounfortunatephotographerswillsharethesocialmartyrdomwhichhehashithertoinflictedonhisvaletalone。 Somuchforthepersonsandeventswhichholdtheforemostplaceinmymemory。Whatnextoftheonepersonwhoholdstheforemostplaceinmyheart?LaurahasbeenpresenttomythoughtsallthewhileIhavebeenwritingtheselines。WhatcanIrecallofherduringthepastsixmonths,beforeIclosemyjournalforthenight? Ihaveonlyherletterstoguideme,andonthemostimportantofallthequestionswhichourcorrespondencecandiscuss,everyoneofthoselettersleavesmeinthedark。 Doeshetreatherkindly?IsshehappiernowthanshewaswhenIpartedwithheronthewedding-day?Allmylettershavecontainedthesetwoinquiries,putmoreorlessdirectly,nowinoneform,andnowinanother,andall,onthatpointonly,haveremainedwithoutreply,orhavebeenansweredasifmyquestionsmerelyrelatedtothestateofherhealth。Sheinformsme,overandoveragain,thatsheisperfectlywell——thattravellingagreeswithher——thatsheisgettingthroughthewinter,forthefirsttimeinherlife,withoutcatchingcold——butnotawordcanIfindanywherewhichtellsmeplainlythatsheisreconciledtohermarriage,andthatshecannowlookbacktothetwenty-secondofDecemberwithoutanybitterfeelingsofrepentanceandregret。Thenameofherhusbandisonlymentionedinherletters,asshemightmentionthenameofafriendwhowastravellingwiththem,andwhohadundertakentomakeallthearrangementsforthejourney。`SirPercival’hassettledthatweleaveonsuchaday——`SirPercival’hasdecidedthatwetravelbysucharoad。Sometimesshewrites`Percival’only,butveryseldom——inninecasesoutoftenshegiveshimhistitle。 Icannotfindthathishabitsandopinionshavechangedandcolouredhersinanysingleparticular。Theusualmoraltransformationwhichisinsensiblywroughtinayoung,fresh,sensitivewomanbyhermarriage,seemsnevertohavetakenplaceinLaura。Shewritesofherownthoughtsandimpressions,amidallthewondersshehasseen,exactlyasshemighthavewrittentosomeoneelse,ifIhadbeentravellingwithherinsteadofherhusband。Iseenobetrayalanywhereofsympathyofanykindexistingbetweenthem。Evenwhenshewandersfromthesubjectofhertravels,andoccupiesherselfwiththeprospectsthatawaitherinEngland,herspeculationsarebusiedwithherfutureasmysister,andpersistentlyneglecttonoticeherfutureasSirPercival’swife。Inallthisthereisnoundertoneofcomplainttowarnmethatsheisabsolutelyunhappyinhermarriedlife。TheimpressionIhavederivedfromourcorrespondencedoesnot,thankGod,leadmetoanysuchdistressingconclusionasthat。Ionlyseeasadtorpor,anunchangeableindifference,whenIturnmymindfromherintheoldcharacterofasister,andlookather,throughthemediumofherletters,inthenewcharacterofawife。Inotherwords,itisalwaysLauraFairliewhohasbeenwritingtomeforthelastsixmonths,andneverLadyGlyde。 Thestrangesilencewhichshemaintainsonthesubjectofherhusband’scharacterandconduct,shepreserveswithalmostequalresolutioninthefewreferenceswhichherlaterletterscontaintothename-ofherhusband’sbosomfriend,CountFosco。 ForsomeunexplainedreasontheCountandhiswifeappeartohavechangedtheirplansabruptly,attheendoflastautumn,andtohavegonetoViennainsteadofgoingtoRome,atwhichlatterPlaceSirPercivalhadexpectedtofindthemwhenheleftEngland。TheyonlyquittedViennainthespring,andtravelledasfarastheTyroltomeetthebrideandbridegroomontheirhomewardjourney。LaurawritesreadilyenoughaboutthemeetingwithMadameFosco,andassuresmethatshehasfoundherauntsomuchchangedforthebetter——somuchquieter,andsomuchmoresensibleasawifethanshewasasasinglewoman——thatIshallhardlyknowheragainwhenIseeherhere。ButonthesubjectofCountFosco(whointerestsmeinfinitelymorethanhiswife),Lauraisprovokinglycircumspectandsilent。Sheonlysaysthathepuzzlesher,andthatshewillnottellmewhatherimpressionofhimisuntilIhaveseenhim,andformedmyownopinionfirst。 This,tomymind,looksillfortheCount。Laurahaspreserved,farmoreperfectlythanmostpeopledoinlaterlife,thechild’ssubtlefacultyofknowingafriendbyinstinct,andifIamrightinassumingthatherfirstimpressionofCountFoscohasnotbeenfavourable,IforoneaminsomedangerofdoubtinganddistrustingthatillustriousforeignerbeforeIhavesomuchasseteyesonhim。But,patience,patience——thisuncertainty,andmanyuncertaintiesmore,cannotlastmuchlonger。Tomorrowwillseeallmydoubtsinafairwayofbeingclearedup,soonerorlater。 Twelveo’clockhasstruck,andIhavejustcomebacktoclosethesepages,afterlockingoutatmyopenwindow。 Itisastill,sultry,moonlessnight。Thestarsaredullandfew。Thetreesthatshutouttheviewonallsideslookdimlyblackandsolidinthedistance,likeagreatwallofrock。Ihearthecroakingoffrogs,faintandfaroff,andtheechoesofthegreatclockhumintheairlesscalmlongafterthestrokeshaveceased。IwonderhowBlackwaterParkwilllookinthedaytime?Idon’taltogetherlikeitbynight。 12th——Adayofinvestigationsanddiscoveries——amoreinterestingday,formanyreasons,thanIhadventuredtoanticipate。 Ibeganmysight-seeing,ofcourse,withthehouse。 Themainbodyofthebuildingisofthetimeofthathighly-overratedwoman,QueenElizabeth。Onthegroundfloortherearetwohugelylonggalleries,withlowceilingslyingparallelwitheachother,andrenderedadditionallydarkanddismalbyhideousfamilyportraits——everyoneofwhichIshouldliketoburn。Theroomsonthefloorabovethetwogalleriesarekeptintolerablerepair,butareveryseldomused。Thecivilhousekeeper,whoactedasmyguide,offeredtoshowmeoverthem,butconsideratelyaddedthatshefearedIshouldfindthemratheroutoforder。MyrespectfortheintegrityofmyownpetticoatsandstockingsinfinitelyexceedsmyrespectforalltheElizabethanbedroomsinthekingdom,soIpositivelydeclinedexploringtheupperregionsofdustanddirtattheriskofsoilingmynicecleanclothes。Thehousekeepersaid。`Iamquiteofyouropinion,miss,’andappearedtothinkmethemostsensiblewomanshehadmetwithforalongtimepast。 Somuch,then,forthemainbuilding。Twowingsareaddedateitherendofit。Thehalf-ruinedwingontheleft(asyouapproachthehouse)wasonceaPlaceofresidencestandingbyitself,andwasbuiltinthefourteenthcentury。OneofSirPercival’smaternalancestors——Idon’tremember,anddon’tcarewhich——tackedonthemainbuilding,atrightanglestoit,intheaforesaidQueenElizabeth’stime。Thehousekeepertoldmethatthearchitectureof`theoldwing。’bothoutsideandinside。wasconsideredremarkablyfinebygoodjudges。OnfurtherinvestigationIdiscoveredthatgoodjudgescouldonlyexercisetheirabilitiesonSirPercival’spieceofantiquitybypreviouslydismissingfromtheirmindsallfearofdamp,darkness,andrats。Underthesecircumstances,Iunhesitatinglyacknowledgedmyselftobenojudgeatall,andsuggestedthatweshouldtreat`theoldwing’preciselyaswehadpreviouslytreatedtheElizabethanbedrooms。Oncemorethehousekeepersaid,`Iamquiteofyouropinion,miss,’andoncemoreshelookedatmewithundisguisedadmirationofmyextraordinarycommon-sense。 Wewentnexttothewingontheright,whichwasbuilt,bywayofcompletingthewonderfularchitecturaljumbleatBlackwaterPark,inthetimeofGeorgetheSecond。 Thisisthehabitablepartofthehouse,whichhasbeenrepairedandredecoratedinsideonLaura’saccount。Mytworooms,andallthegoodbedroomsbesides,areonthefirstfloor,andthebasementcontainsadrawing-room,adining-room,amorning-room,alibrary,andaprettylittleboudoirforLaura,allverynicelyornamentedinthebrightmodernway,andallveryelegantlyfurnishedwiththedelightfulmodernluxuries。NoneoftheroomsareanythinglikesolargeandairyasourroomsatLimmeridge,buttheyalllookpleasanttolivein。Iwasterriblyafraid,fromwhatIhadheardofBlackwaterPark,offatiguingantiquechairs,anddismalstainedglass,andmusty,frowzyhangings,andallthebarbarouslumberwhichpeoplebornwithoutasenseofcomfortaccumulateaboutthem,indefianceoftheconsiderationduetotheconvenienceoftheirfriends。Itisaninexpressiblerelieftofindthatthenineteenthcenturyhasinvadedthisstrangefuturehomeofmine,andhassweptthedirty`goodoldtimes’outofthewayofourdailylife。 Idawdledawaythemorning——partofthetimeintheroomsdownstairs,andpartoutofdoorsinthegreatsquarewhichisformedbythethreesidesofthehouse,andbytheloftyironrailingsandgateswhichprotectitinfront。Alargecircularfishpondwithstonesides,andanallegoricalleadenmonsterinthemiddle,occupiesthecentreofthesquare。Theponditselfisfullofgoldandsilverfish,andisencircledbyabroadbeltofthesoftestturfIeverwalkedon。Iloiteredhereontheshadysidepleasantlyenoughtillluncheon-time,andafterthattookmybroadstrawhatandwanderedoutaloneinthewarmlovelysunlighttoexplorethegrounds。 DaylightconfirmedtheimpressionwhichIhadfeltthenightbefore,oftherebeingtoomanytreesatBlackwater。Thehouseisstifledbythem。Theyare,forthemostpart,young,andplantedfartoothickly。IsuspecttheremusthavebeenaruinouscuttingdownoftimberallovertheestatebeforeSirPercival’stime,andanangryanxietyonthepartofthenextpossessortofillupallthegapsasthicklyandrapidlyaspossible。Afterlookingaboutmeinfrontofthehouse,Iobservedaflower-gardenonmylefthand,andwalkedtowardsittoseewhatIcoulddiscoverinthatdirection。 Onanearerviewthegardenprovedtobesmallandpoorandillkept。Ileftitbehindme,openedalittlegateinaringfence,andfoundmyselfinaplantationoffir-trees。 Aprettywindingpath,artificiallymade,ledmeonamongthetrees,andmynorth-countryexperiencesooninformedmethatIwasapproachingsandy,heathyground-Afterawalkofmorethanhalfamile,Ishouldthink,amongthefirs,thepathtookasharpturn——thetreesabruptlyceasedtoappearoneithersideofme,andIfoundmyselfstandingsuddenlyonthemarginofavastopenspace,andlookingdownattheBlackwaterlakefromwhichthehousetakesitsname。 Theground,shelvingawaybelowme,wasallsand,withafewlittleheathyhillockstobreakthemonotonyofitincertainplaces。ThelakeitselfhadevidentlyonceflowedtothespotonwhichIstood,andhadbeengraduallywastedanddrieduptolessthanathirdofitsformersize。Isawitsstill,stagnantwaters,aquarterofamileawayfrommeinthehollow,separatedintopoolsandpondsbytwiningreedsandrushes,andlittleknollsofearth。Onthefartherbankfrommethetreesrosethicklyagain,andshutouttheview,andcasttheirblackshadowsonthesluggish,shallowwater。AsIwalkeddowntothelake,Isawthatthegroundonitsfarthersidewasdampandmarshy,overgrownwithrankgrassanddismalwillows。Thewater,whichwasclearenoughontheopensandyside,wherethesunshone,lookedblackandpoisonousoppositetome,whereitlaydeeperundertheshadeofthespongybanks,andtherankoverhangingthicketsandtangledtrees。Thefrogswerecroaking,andtheratswereslippinginandoutoftheshadowywater,likeliveshadowsthemselves,asIgotnearertothemarshysideofthelake。Isawhere,lyinghalfinandhalfoutofthewater,therottenwreckofanoldoverturnedboat。withasicklyspotofsunlightglimmeringthroughagapinthetreesonitsdrysurface,andasnakebaskinginthemidstofthespot,fantasticallycoiledandtreacherouslystill。Farandneartheviewsuggestedthesamedrearyimpressionsofsolitudeanddecay,andthegloriousbrightnessofthesummerskyoverheadseemedonlytodeepenandhardenthegloomandbarrennessofthewildernessonwhichitshone。Iturnedandretracedmystepstothehighheathyground,directingthemalittleasidefrommyformerpathtowardsashabbyoldwoodenshed,whichstoodontheouterskirtofthefirplantation,andwhichhadhithertobeentoounimportanttosharemynoticewiththewide,wildprospectofthelake。 OnapproachingtheshedIfoundthatithadoncebeenaboathouse,andthatanattempthadapparentlybeenmadetoconvertitafterwardsintoasortofrudearbour,byplacinginsideitafirwoodseat,afewstools,andatable。Ienteredtheplace,andsatdownforalittlewhiletorestandgetmybreathagain。 Ihadnotbeenintheboat-housemorethanaminutewhenitstruckmethatthesoundofmyownquickbreathingwasverystrangelyechoedbysomethingbeneathme。Ilistenedintentlyforamoment,andheardalow,thick,sobbingbreaththatseemedtocomefromthegroundundertheseatwhichIwasoccupying。Mynervesarenoteasilyshakenbytrifles,butonthisoccasionIstartedtomyfeetinafright——calledout——receivednoanswer——summonedmyrecreantcourage,andlookedundertheseat。 There,crouchedupinthefarthestcorner,laytheforlorncauseofmyterror,intheshapeofapoorlittledog——ablackandwhitespaniel。ThecreaturemoanedfeeblywhenIlookedatitandcalledtoit,butneverstirred。Imovedawaytheseatandlookedcloser。Thepoorlittledog’seyeswereglazingfast,andtherewerespotsofbloodonitsglossywhiteside。Themiseryofaweak,helpless,dumbcreatureissurelyoneofthesaddestofallthemournfulsightswhichthisworldcanshow。IliftedthepoordoginmyarmsasgentlyasIcould,andcontrivedasortofmake-shifthammockforhimtoliein,bygatheringupthefrontofmydressallroundhim。InthiswayItookthecreature,asPainlesslyaspossible,andasfastaspossible,backtothehouse。 FindingnooneinthehallIwentupatoncetomyownsitting-room,madeabedforthedogwithoneofmyoldshawls,andrangthebell。Thelargestandfattestofallpossiblehousemaidsansweredit,inastateofcheerfulstupiditywhichwouldhaveprovokedthepatienceofasaint。Thegirl’sfat,shapelessfaceactuallystretchedintoabroadgrinatthesightofthewoundedcreatureonthefloor。 `Whatdoyouseetheretolaughat?’Iasked,asangrilyasifshehadbeenaservantofmyown。`Doyouknowwhosedogitis?’ `No,miss,thatIcertainlydon’t。’Shestooped,andlookeddownatthespaniel’sinjuredside——brightenedsuddenlywiththeirradiationofanewidea——andpointingtothewoundwithachuckleofsatisfaction,said,`That’sBaxter’sdoings,thatis。’ IwassoexasperatedthatIcouldhaveboxedherears。`Baxter?’Isaid。`WhoisthebruteyoucallBaxter?’ Thegirlgrinnedagainmorecheerfullythanever。`Blessyou,miss!Baxter’sthekeeper,andwhenhefindsstrangedogshuntingabout,hetakesandshoots’em。It’skeeper’sdooty,miss。Ithinkthatdogwilldie。Here’swherehe’sbeenshot,ain’tit?That’sBaxter’sdoings,thatis。Baxter’sdoings,miss,andBaxter’sdooty。’ IwasalmostwickedenoughtowishthatBaxterhadshotthehousemaidinsteadofthedog。Seeingthatitwasquiteuselesstoexpectthisdenselyimpenetrablepersonagetogivemeanyhelpinrelievingthesufferingcreatureatourfeet,Itoldhertorequestthehousekeeper’sattendancewithmycompliments。Shewentoutexactlyasshehadcomein,grinningfromeartoear。Asthedoorclosedonhershesaidtoherselfsoftly,`It’sBaxter’sdoingsandBaxter’sdooty——that’swhatitis。’ Thehousekeeper,apersonofsomeeducationandintelligence,thoughtfullybroughtupstairswithhersomemilkandsomewarmwater。Theinstantshesawthedogonthefloorshestartedandchangedcolour。 `Why,Lordblessme,’criedthehousekeeper,`thatmustbeMisCatherick’sdog!’ `Whose?’Iasked,intheutmostastonishment。 `MisCatherick’s。YouseemtoknowMrsCatherick,MissHalcombe?’ `Notpersonally,butIhaveheardofher。Doesshelivehere?Hasshehadanynewsofherdaughter?’ `No,MissHalcombe,shecameheretoaskfornews。’ `When?’ `Onlyyesterday。Shesaidsomeonehadreportedthatastrangeransweringtothedescriptionofherdaughterhadbeenseeninourneighbourhood。Nosuchreporthasreachedushere,andnosuchreportwasknowninthevillage,whenIsenttomakeinquiriesthereonMrsCatherick’saccount。Shecertainlybroughtthispoorlittledogwithherwhenshecame,andIsawittrotoutafterherwhenshewentaway。Isupposethecreaturestrayedintotheplantations,andgotshot。Wheredidyoufindit,MissHalcombe?’ `Intheoldshedthatlooksoutonthelake。’ `Ah,yes,thatistheplantationside,andthepoorthingdraggeditself,Isuppose,tothenearestshelter,asdogswill,todie。Ifyoucanmoistenitslipswiththemilk,MissHalcombe,Iwillwashtheclottedhairfromthewound。Iamverymuchafraiditistoolatetodoanygood。However,wecanbuttry。’ MrsCatherick!Thenamestillranginmyears,asifthehousekeeperhadonlythatmomentsurprisedmebyutteringit。Whilewewereattendingtothedog,thewordsofWalterHartright’scautiontomereturnedtomymemory:`IfeverAnneCatherickcrossesyourpath,makebetteruseoftheopportunity,MissHalcombe,thanImadeofit。’ThefindingofthewoundedspanielhadledmealreadytothediscoveryofMrsCatherick’svisittoBlackwaterPark,andthateventmightlead,initsturn,tosomethingmore。Ideterminedtomakethemostof thechancewhichwasnowofferedtome,andtogainasmuch informationasIcould。 `DidyousaythatMrsCathericklivedanywhereinthisneighbourhood?’Iasked。 `Ohdear,no,’saidthehousekeeper。`ShelivesatWelmingham,quiteattheotherendofthecounty——five-and-twentymilesoff,atleast。’ `IsupposeyouhaveknownMrsCatherickforsomeyears?’ `Onthecontrary,MissHalcombe,Ineversawherbeforeshecamehereyesterday。Ihadheardofher,ofcourse,becauseIhadheardofSirPercival’skindnessinputtingherdaughterundermedicalcare。MrsCatherickisratherastrangepersoninhermanners,butextremelyrespectable-looking。Sheseemedsorelyputoutwhenshefoundthattherewasnofoundation——none,atleast,thatanyofuscoulddiscover——forthereportofherdaughterhavingbeenseeninthisneighbourhood。’ `IamratherinterestedaboutMrsCatherick,’Iwenton,continuingtheconversationaslongaspossible。`IwishIhadarrivedheresoonenoughtoseeheryesterday。Didshestayforanylengthoftime?’ `Yes,’saidthehousekeeper,`shestayedforsometime;andIthinkshewouldhaveremainedlonger,ifIhadnotbeencalledawaytospeaktoastrangegentleman——agentlemanwhocametoaskwhenSirPercivalwasexpectedback。MrsCatherickgotupandleftatonce,whensheheardthemaidtellmewhatthevisitor’serrandwas。Shesaidtome,atparting,thattherewasnoneedtotellSirPercivalofhercominghere。Ithoughtthatratheranoddremarktomake,especiallytoapersoninmyresponsiblesituation。’ Ithoughtitanoddremarktoo。SirPercivalhadcertainlyledmetobelieve,atLimmeridge,thatthemostperfectconfidenceexistedbetweenhimselfandMrsCatherick。Ifthatwasthecase,whyshouldshebeanxioustohavehervisitatBlackwaterParkkeptasecretfromhim? `Probably,’Isaid,seeingthatthehousekeeperexpectedmetogivemyopiniononMrsCatherick’spartingwords,`probablyshethoughttheannouncementofhervisitmightvexSirPercivaltonopurpose,byremindinghimthatherlostdaughterwasnotfoundyet。Didshetalkmuchonthatsubject?’ `Verylittle,’repliedthehousekeeper。’ShetalkedprincipallyofSirPercival,andaskedagreatmanyquestionsaboutwherehehadbeentravelling,andwhatsortofladyhisnewwifewas。Sheseemedtobemoresouredandputoutthandistressed,byfailingtofindanytracesofherdaughterintheseparts。``Igiveherup,’’werethelastwordsshesaidthatIcanremember;``Igiveherup,ma’am,forlost。’’AndfromthatshepassedatoncetoherquestionsaboutLadyGlyde,wantingtoknowifshewasahandsome,amiablelady,comelyandhealthyandyoung——Ah,dear!Ithoughthowitwouldend。Look,MissHalcombe,thepoorthingisoutofitsmiseryatlast!’ Thedogwasdead。Ithadgivenafaint,sobbingcry,ithadsufferedaninstant’sconvulsionofthelimbs,justasthoselastwords,`comelyandhealthyandyoung,’droppedfromthehousekeeper’slips。thechangehadhappenedwithstartlingsuddenness——inonemomentthecreaturelaylifelessunderourhands。 Eighto’clock。Ihavejustreturnedfromdiningdownstairs,insolitarystate。ThesunsetisburningredlyonthewildernessoftreesthatIseefrommywindow,andIamporingovermyjournalagain,tocalmmyimpatienceforthereturnofthetravellers。Theyoughttohavearrived,bymycalculations,beforethis。Howstillandlonelythehouseisinthedrowsyeveningquiet!Ohme!howmanyminutesmorebeforeIhearthecarriagewheelsandrundownstairstofindmyselfinLaura’sarms? Thepoorlittledog!IwishmyfirstdayatBlackwaterParkhadnotbeenassociatedwithdeath,thoughitisonlythedeathofastrayanimal。 Welmingham——Isee,onlookingbackthroughtheseprivatepagesofmine,thatWelminghamisthenameoftheplacewhereMrsCathericklives。Hernoteisstillinmypossession,thenoteinanswertothatletteraboutherunhappydaughterwhichSirPercivalobligedmetowrite。Oneofthesedays,whenIcanfindasafeopportunity,Iwilltakethenotewithmebywayofintroduction,andtrywhatIcanmakeofMrsCatherickatapersonalinterview。Idon’tunderstandherwishingtoconcealhervisittothisplacefromSirPercival’sknowledge,andIdon’tfeelhalfsosure,asthehousekeeperseemstodo,thatherdaughterAnneisnotintheneighbourhoodafterall。WhatwouldWalterHartrighthavesaidinthisemergency?Poor,dearHartright!Iambeginningtofeelthewantofhishonestadviceandhiswillinghelpalready。 SurelyIheardsomething。Wasitabustleoffootstepsbelowstairs?Yes!Ihearthehorses’feet——Iheartherollingwheels。Awaywithmyjournalandmypenandink!Thetravellershavereturned——mydarlingLauraishomeagainatlast! June15th——Theconfusionoftheirarrivalhashadtimetosubside。Twodayshaveelapsedsincethereturnofthetravellers,andthatintervalhassufficedtoputthenewmachineryofourlivesatBlackwaterParkinfairworkingorder。Imaynowreturntomyjournal,withsomelittlechanceofbeingabletocontinuetheentriesinitascollectedlyasusual。 IthinkImustbeginbyputtingdownanoddremarkwhichhassuggesteditselftomesinceLauracameback。 Whentwomembersofafamilyortwointimatefriendsareseparated,andonegoesabroadandoneremainsathome,thereturnoftherelativeorfriendwhohasbeentravellingalwaysseemstoplacetherelativeorfriendwhohasbeenstayingathomeatapainfuldisadvantagewhenthetwofirstmeet。thesuddenencounterofthenewthoughtsandnewhabitseagerlygainedintheonecase,withtheoldthoughtsandoldhabitspassivelypreservedintheother,seemsatfirsttopartthesympathiesofthemostlovingrelativesandthefondestfriends,andtosetasuddenstrangeness,unexpectedbybothanduncontrollablebyboth,betweenthemoneitherside。AfterthefirsthappinessofmymeetingwithLaurawasover,afterwehadsatdowntogetherhandinhandtorecoverbreathenoughandcalmnessenoughtotalk,Ifeltthisstrangenessinstantly,andIcouldseethatshefeltittoo。Ithaspartiallywornaway,nowthatwehavefallenbackintomostofouroldhabits,anditwillprobablydisappearbeforelong。ButithascertainlyhadaninfluenceoverthefirstimpressionsthatIhaveformedofher,nowthatwearelivingtogetheragain——forwhichreasononlyIhavethoughtfittomentionithere。 Shehasfoundmeunaltered,butIhavefoundherchanged。 Changedinperson,andinonerespectchangedincharacter。Icannotabsolutelysaythatsheislessbeautifulthansheusedtobe——Icanonlysaythatsheislessbeautifultome。 Others,whodonotlookatherwithmyeyesandmyrecollections,wouldprobablythinkherimproved。Thereismorecolourthereusedtobe,andherfigureseemsmorefirmlysetandmoresureandeasyinallitsmovementsthanitwasinhermaidendays。ButImisssomethingwhenIlookather——somethingthatoncebelongedtothehappy,innocentlifeofLauraFairlie,andthatIcannotfindinLadyGlyde。Therewasintheoldtimesafreshness,asoftness,anever-varyingandyetever-remainingtendernessofbeautyinherface,thecharmofwhichitisnotpossibletoexpressinwords,or,aspoorHartrightusedoftentosay,inpaintingeither。ThisisGone。IthoughtIsawthefaintreflectionofitforamomentwhensheturnedpaleundertheagitationofoursuddenmeetingontheeveningofherreturn,butithasneverreappearedsince。Noneofherlettershadpreparedmeforapersonalchangeinher。Onthecontrary。theyhadledmetoexpectthathermarriagehadlefther,inappearanceatleast,quiteunaltered。PerhapsIreadherletterswronglyinthepast,andamnowreadingherfacewronglyinthepresent?Nomatter!Whetherherbeautyhasgainedorwhetherithaslostinthelastsixmonths,theseparationeitherwayhasmadeherowndearselfmoreprecioustomethanever,andthatisonegoodresultofhermarriage,atanyrate! Thesecondchange,thechangethatIhaveobservedinhercharacter,hasnotsurprisedme,becauseIwaspreparedforitinthiscasebythetoneofherletters。Nowthatsheisathomeagain,IfindherjustasunwillingtoenterintoanydetailsonthesubjectofhermarriedlifeasIhadpreviouslyfoundherallthroughthetimeofourseparation,whenwecouldonlycommunicatewitheachotherbywriting。AtthefirstapproachImadetotheforbiddentopicsheputherhandonmylipswithalookandgesturewhichtouchingly,almostpainfully,recalledtomymemorythedaysofhergirlhoodandthehappybygonetimewhentherewerenosecretsbetweenus。 `WheneveryouandIaretogether,Marian,’shesaid,`weshallbothbehappierandeasierwithoneanother,ifweacceptmymarriedlifeforwhatitis,andsayandthinkaslittleaboutitaspossible。Iwouldtellyoueverything,darling,aboutmyself,’shewenton,nervouslybucklingandunbucklingtheribbonroundmywaist,`ifmyconfidencescouldonlyendthere。Buttheycouldnot——theywouldleadmeintoconfidencesaboutmyhusbandtoo;andnowIammarried,IthinkIhadbetteravoidthem,forhissake,andforyoursake,andformine。Idon’tsaythattheywoulddistressyou,ordistressme——Iwouldn’thaveyouthinkthatfortheworld。But——Iwanttobesohappy,nowIhavegotyoubackagain,andIwantyoutobesohappytoo——’Shebrokeoffabruptly,andlookedroundtheroom,myownsitting-room,inwhichweweretalking。`Ah!’shecried,clappingherhandswithabrightsmileofrecognition,`anotheroldfriendfoundalready!Yourbookcase,Marian——yourdear-little-shabby-old-satin-woodbookcase——howgladIamyoubroughtitwithyoufromLimmeridge!Andthehorridheavyman’sumbrella,thatyoualwayswouldwalkoutwithwhenitrained!Andfirstandforemostofall,yourowndear,dark。clever,gipsy-face,lookingatmejustasusual!Itissolikehomeagaintobehere。Howcanwemakeitmorelikehomestill?Iwillputmyfather’sportraitinyourroominsteadofmine——andIwillkeepallmylittletreasuresfromLimmeridgehere——andwewillpasshoursandhourseverydaywiththesefourfriendlywallsroundus。Oh,Marian!’shesaid,suddenlyseatingherselfonafootstoolatmyknees,andlookingupearnestlyinmyface,`promiseyouwillnevermarry,andleaveme。Itisselfishtosayso,butyouaresomuchbetteroffasasinglewoman——unless——unlessyouarcveryfondofyourhusband——butyouwon’tbeveryfondofanybodybutme,willyou?’Shestoppedagain,crossedmyhandsonmylap,andlaidherfaceonthem。`Haveyoubeenwritingmanyletters,andreceivingmanyletterslately?’sheasked,inlow,suddenly-alteredtones。Iunderstoodwhatthequestionmeant,butIthoughtitmydutynottoencourageherbymeetingherhalfway。`Haveyouheardfromhim?’shewenton,coaxingmetoforgivethemoredirectappealonwhichshenowventured,bykissingmyhands,uponwhichherfacestillrested。`Ishewellandhappy,andgettingoninhisprofession?Hasherecoveredhimself——andforgottenme?’ Sheshouldnothaveaskedthosequestions。Sheshouldhaverememberedherownresolution,onthemorningwhenSirPercivalheldhertohermarriageengagement,andwhensheresignedthebookofHartright’sdrawingsintomyhandsforever。But,ahme!whereisthefaultlesshumancreaturewhocanpersevereinagoodresolution,withoutsometimesfailingandfallingback?Whereisthewomanwhohaseverreallytornfromherhearttheimagethathasbeenoncefixedinitbyatruelove?Bookstellusthatsuchunearthlycreatureshaveexisted——butwhatdoesourownexperiencesayinanswertobooks? Imadenoattempttoremonstratewithher:perhaps,becauseIsincerelyappreciatedthefearlesscandourwhichletmesee,whatotherwomeninherpositionmighthavehadreasonsforconcealingevenfromtheirdearestfriends——perhaps,becauseIfelt,inmyownheartandconscience,thatinherplaceIshouldhaveaskedthesamequestionsandhadthesamethoughts。AllIcouldhonestlydowastoreplythatIhadnotwrittentohimorheardfromhimlately,andthentoturntheconversationtolessdangeroustopics。 Therehasbeenmuchtosaddenmeinourinterview——myfirstconfidentialinterviewwithhersinceherreturn。Thechangewhichhermarriagehasproducedinourrelationstowardseachother,byplacingaforbiddensubjectbetweenus,forthefirsttimeinourlives;themelancholyconvictionofthedearthofallwarmthoffeeling,ofallclosesympathy,betweenherhusbandandherself,whichherownunwillingwordsnowforceonmymind;thedistressingdiscoverythattheinfluenceofthatill-fatedattachmentstillremains(riomatterhowinnocently,howharmlessly)rootedasdeeplyaseverinherheart——allthesearedisclosurestosaddenanywomanwholovesherasdearly,andfeelsforherasacutely,asIdo Thereisonlyoneconsolationtosetagainstthem——aconsolationthatoughttocomfortme,andthatdoescomfortme。Allthegracesandgentlenessofhercharacter——allthefrankaffectionofhernature——allthesweet,simple,womanlycharmswhichusedtomakeherthedarlinganddelightofeveryonewhoapproachedher,havecomebacktomewithherself。OfmyotherimpressionsIamsometimesalittleinclinedtodoubt。Ofthislast,best,happiestofallimpressions,Igrowmoreandmorecertaineveryhourintheday。 Letmeturn,now,fromhertohertravellingcompanions。Herhusbandmustengagemyattentionfirst。WhathaveIobservedinSirPercival,sincehisreturn,toimprovemyopinionofhim? Icanhardlysay。Smallvexatiousandannoyancesseemtohavebesethimsincehecameback,andnoman,underthosecircumstances,iseverpresentedathisbest。Helooks,asIthink,thinnerthanhewaswhenheleftEngland。Hiswearisomecoughandhiscomfortlessrestlessnesshavecertainlyincreased。Hismanner——atleasthismannertowardsme——ismuchmoreabruptthanitusedtobe。Hegreetedme,ontheeveningofhisreturn,withlittleornothingoftheceremonyandcivilityofformertimes——nopolitespeechesofwelcome——noappearanceofextraordinarygratificationatseeingme——nothingbutashortshakeofthehand,andasharp`How-d’ye-do,MissHalcombe——gladtoseeyouagain。’HeseemedtoacceptmeasoneofthenecessaryfixturesofBlackwaterPark,tobesatisfiedatfindingmeestablishedinmyproperplace,andthentopassmeoveraltogether。 Mostmenshowsomethingoftheirdispositionintheirownhouses,whichtheyhaveconcealedelsewhere,andSirPercivalhasalreadydisplayedamaniafororderandregularity,whichisquiteanewrevelationofhim,sofarasmypreviousknowledgeofhischaracterisconcerned。IfItakeabookfromthelibraryandleaveitonthetable,hefollowsmeandputsitbackagain。IfIrisefromachair,andletitremainwhereIhavebeensitting,hecarefullyrestoresittoitsproperplaceagainstthewall。Hepicksupstrayflower-blossomsfromthecarpet,andmutterstohimselfasdiscontentedlyasiftheywerehotcindersburningholesinit,andhestormsattheservantsifthereisacreaseinthetablecloth,oraknifemissingfromitsplaceatthedinner-table,asfiercelyasiftheyhadpersonallyinsultedhim。 Ihavealreadyreferredtothesmallannoyanceswhichappeartohavetroubledhimsincehisreturn。MuchofthealterationfortheworsewhichIhavenoticedinhimmaybeduetothese。Itrytopersuademyselfthatitisso,becauseIamanxiousnottobedisheartenedalreadyaboutthefuture。Itiscertainlytryingtoanyman’stempertobemetbyavexationthemomenthesetsfootinhisownhouseagain,afteralongabsence,andthisannoyingcircumstancedidreallyhappentoSirPercivalinmypresence。 Ontheeveningoftheirarrivalthehousekeeperfollowedmeintothehalltoreceivehermasterandmistressandtheirguests。Theinstanthesawher,SirPercivalaskedifanyonehadcalledlately。Thehousekeepermentionedtohim,inreply,whatshehadpreviouslymentionedtome,thevisitofthestrangegentlemantomakeinquiriesaboutthetimeofhermaster’sreturn。Heaskedimmediatelyforthegentleman’sname。Nonamehadbeenleft。Thegentleman’sbusiness?Nobusinesshadbeenmentioned。Whatwasthegentlemanlike?Thehousekeepertriedtodescribehim,butfailedtodistinguishthenamelessvisitorbyanypersonalpeculiaritywhichhermastercouldrecognise。SirPercivalfrowned,stampedangrilyonthefloor,andwalkedonintothehouse,takingnonoticeofanybody。WhyheshouldhavebeensodiscomposedbyatrifleIcannotsay——buthewasseriouslydiscomposed,beyondalldoubt。 Uponthewhole,itwillbebest,perhaps,ifIabstainfromformingadecisiveopinionofhismanners,language,andconductinhisownhouse,untiltimehasenabledhimtoshakeofftheanxieties。whatevertheymaybe,whichnowevidentlytroubledhismindinsecret。Iwillturnovertoanewpage,andmypenshallletLaura’shusbandaloneforthepresent。 Thetwoguests——theCountandCountessFosco——comenextinmycatalogue。IwilldisposeoftheCountessfirst,soastohavedonewiththewomanassoonaspossible。 Laurawascertainlynotchargeablewithanyexaggeration,inwritingmewordthatIshouldhardlyrecogniseherauntagainwhenwemet。NeverbeforehaveIbeheldsuchachangeproducedinawomanbyhermarriageashasbeenproducedinMadameFosco。 AsEleanorFairlie(agedseven-and-thirty)。shewasalwaystalkingpretentiousnonsense,andalwaysworryingtheunfortunatemenwitheverysmallexactionwhichavainandfoolishwomancanimposeonlong-sufferingmalehumanity。AsMadameFosco(agedthree-and-forty),shesitsforhourstogetherwithoutsayingaword,frozenupinthestrangestmannerinherself。Thehideouslyridiculouslove-lockswhichusedtohangoneithersideofherfacearenowreplacedbystifflittlerowsofveryshortcurls,ofthesortoneseesinold-fashionedwigs。Aplain,matronlycapcoversherhead,andmakesherlook,forthefirsttimeinherlifesinceIrememberher,likeadecentwoman。Nobody(puttingherhusbandoutofthequestion,ofcourse)nowseesinher,whateverybodyoncesaw——Imeanthestructureofthefemaleskeleton,intheupperregionsofthecollar-bonesandtheshoulder-blades。Cladinquietblackorgreygowns,madehighroundthethroat——dressesthatshewouldhavelaughedat,orscreamedat,asthewhimofthemomentinclinedher,inhermaidendays——shesitsspeechlessincorners;herdrywhitehands(sodrythattheporesofherskinlookchalky)incessantlyengaged,eitherinmonotonousembroideryworkorinrollingupendlesscigarettesfortheCount’sownparticularsmoking。Onthefewoccasionswhenhercoldblueeyesareoffherwork,theyaregenerallyturnedonherhusband,withthelookofmutesubmissiveinquirywhichweareallfamiliarwithintheeyesofafaithfuldog。TheonlyapproachtoaninwardthawwhichIhaveyetdetectedunderheroutercoveringoficyconstraint,hasbetrayeditself,onceortwice,intheformofasuppressedtigerishjealousyofanywomaninthehouse(themaidsincluded)towhomtheCountspeaks,oronwhomhelookswithanythingapproachingtospecialinterestorattention。Exceptinthisoneparticular,sheisalways,morning,noon,andnight,indoorsandout,fairweatherorfoul,ascoldasastatue,andasimpenetrableasthestoneoutofwhichitiscut。Forthecommonpurposesofsocietytheextraordinarychangethusproducedinheris,beyondalldoubt,achangeforthebetter,seeingthatithastransformedherintoacivil,silent,unobtrusivewoman,whoisneverintheway。Howfarsheisreallyreformedordeterioratedinhersecretself,isanotherquestion。Ihaveonceortwiceseensuddenchangesofexpressiononherpinchedlips,andheardsuddeninflexionsoftoneinhercalmvoice,whichhaveledmetosuspectthatherpresentstateofsuppressionmayhavesealedupsomethingdangerousinhernature,whichusedtoevaporateharmlesslyinthefreedomofherformerlife。ItisquitepossiblethatImaybealtogetherwronginthisidea。Myownimpression,however,is,thatIamright。Timewillshow。 Andthemagicianwhohaswroughtthiswonderfultransformation——theforeignhusbandwhohastamedthisoncewaywardEnglishwomantillherownrelationshardlyknowheragain——theCounthimself?WhatoftheCount? Thisintwowords:Helookslikeamanwhocouldtameanything。Ifhehadmarriedatigress,insteadofawoman,hewouldhavetamedthetigress。Ifhehadmarriedme,Ishouldhavemadehiscigarettes,ashiswifedoes——Ishouldhaveheldmytonguewhenhelookedatme,assheholdshers。 Iamalmostafraidtoconfessit。eventothesesecretpages。Themanhasinterestedme,hasattractedme,hasforcedmetolikehimIntwoshortdayshehasmadehiswaystraightintomyfavourableestimation,andhowhehasworkedthemiracleismorethanIcantell。 Itabsolutelystartlesme,nowheisinmymind,tofindhowplainlyIseehim!——howmuchmoreplainlythanIseeSirPercival,orMrFairlie,orWalterHartright,oranyotherabsentpersonofwhomIthink,withtheoneexceptionofLauraherself!Icanhearhisvoice,asifhewasspeakingatthismoment。Iknowwhathisconversationwasyesterday,aswellasifIwashearingitnow。HowamItodescribehim?Therearepeculiaritiesinhispersonalappearance,hishabits。andhisamusements,whichIshouldblameintheboldestterms,orridiculeinthemostmercilessmanner,ifIhadseentheminanotherman。Whatisitthatmakesmeunabletoblamethem,ortoridiculetheminhim? Forexample,heisimmenselyfat。BeforethistimeIhavealwaysespeciallydislikedcorpulenthumanity。Ihavealwaysmaintainedthatthepopularnotionofconnectingexcessivegrossnessofsizeandexcessivegood-humourasinseparableallieswasequivalenttodeclaring,eitherthatnopeoplebutamiablepeopleevergetfat,orthattheaccidentaladditionofsomanypoundsoffleshhasadirectlyfavourableinfluenceoverthedispositionofthepersononwhosebodytheyaccumulate。Ihaveinvariablycombatedboththeseabsurdassertionsbyquotingexamplesoffatpeoplewhowereasmean,vicious,andcruelastheleanestandtheworstoftheirneighbours。IhaveaskedwhetherHenrytheEighthwasanamiablycharacter?WhetherPopeAlexandertheSixthwasagoodman?WhetherMrMurdererandMrsMurderessManningwerenotbothunusuallystoutpeople?Whetherhirednurses,proverbiallyascruelasetofwomenasaretohefoundinallEngland,werenot,forthemostpart,alsoasfatasetofwomenasaretobefoundinallEngland?——andsoon,throughdozensofotherexamples,modernandancient,nativeandforeign,highandlow。HoldingthesestrongopinionsonthesubjectwithmightandmainasIdoatthismoment,here,nevertheless,isCountFosco,asfatasHenrytheEighthhimself,establishedinmyfavour,atoneday’snotice,withoutletorhindrancefromhisownodiouscorpulence。Marvellousindeed! Isithisfacethathasrecommendedhim? Itmaybehisface。Heisamostremarkablelikeness,onalargescale,ofthegreatNapoleon。HisfeatureshaveNapoleon’smagnificentregularity——hisexpressionrecallsthegrandlycalm,immovablepoweroftheGreatSoldier’sface。Thisstrikingresemblancecertainlyimpressedme,tobeginwith;butthereissomethinginhimbesidestheresemblance,whichhasimpressedmemore。IthinktheinfluenceIamnowtryingtofindisinhiseyes。TheyarethemostunfathomablegreyeyesIeversaw,andtheyhaveattimesacold,clear,beautiful,irresistibleglitterinthemwhichforcesmetolookathim,andyetcausesmesensations,whenIdolook,whichIwouldrathernotfeel。Otherpartsofhisfaceandheadhavetheirstrangepeculiarities。Hiscomplexion,forinstance,hasasingularsallow-fairness,somuchatvariancewiththedark-browncolourofhishair,thatIsuspectthehairofbeingawig,andhisface,closelyshavenallover,issmootherandfreerfromallmarksandwrinklesthanmine,though(accordingtoSirPercival’saccountofhim)heiscloseonsixtyyearsofage。Butthesearenottheprominentpersonalcharacteristicswhichdistinguishhim,tomymind,fromalltheothermenIhaveeverseen。Themarkedpeculiaritywhichsingleshimoutfromtherankandfileofhumanityliesentirely,sofarasIcantellatpresent,intheextraordinaryexpressionandextraordinarypowerofhiseyes。 Hismannerandhiscommandofourlanguagemayalsohaveassistedhim,insomedegree,toestablishhimselfinmygoodopinion。Hehasthatquietdeference,thatlookofpleased,attentiveinterestinlisteningtoawoman,andthatsecretgentlenessinhisvoiceinspeakingtoawoman,which,saywhatwemay,wecannoneofusresist。Here,too,hisunusualcommandoftheEnglishlanguagenecessarilyhelpshim。IhadoftenheardoftheextraordinaryaptitudewhichmanyItaliansshowinmasteringourstrong,hard,Northernspeech;but,untilIsawCountFosco,IhadneversupposeditpossiblethatanyforeignercouldhavespokenEnglishashesneaksit。Therearetimeswhenitisalmostimpossibletodetect,byhisaccent,thatheisnotacountrymanofourown,andasforfluency,thereareveryfewbornEnglishmenwhocantalkwithasfewstoppagesandrepetitionsastheCount。Hemayconstructhissentencesmoreorlessintheforeignway,butIhaveneveryetheardhimuseawrongexpression,orhesitateforamomentinhischoiceofaword。 Allthesmallestcharacteristicsofthisstrangemanhavesomethingstrikinglyoriginalandperplexinglycontradictoryinthem。Fatasheisandoldasheis,hismovementsareastonishinglylightandeasy。Heisasnoiselessinaroomasanyofuswomen,andmorethanthat,withallhislookofunmistakablementalfirmnessandpower,heisasnervouslysensitiveastheweakestofus。HestartsatchancenoisesasinveteratelyasLauraherself。Hewincedandshudderedyesterday,whenSirPercivalbeatoneofthespaniels,sothatIfeltashamedofmyownwantoftendernessandsensibilitybycomparisonwiththeCount。 Therelationofthislastincidentremindsmeofoneofhismostcuriouspeculiarities,whichIhavenotyetmentioned——hisextraordinaryfondnessforpetanimals。 SomeofthesehehasleftontheContinent,buthehasbroughtwithhimtothishouseacockatoo,twocanary-birds,andawholefamilyofwhitemice。Heattendstoallthenecessitiesofthesestrangefavouriteshimself,andhehastaughtthecreaturestobesurprisinglyfondofhimandfamiliarwithhim。Thecockatoo,amostviciousandtreacherousbirdtowardseveryoneelse,absolutelyseemstolovehim。Whenheletsitoutofitscage,ithopsontohisknee,andclawsitswayuphisgreatbigbody,andrubsitstop-knotagainsthissallowdoublechininthemostcaressingmannerimaginable。Hehasonlytosetthedoorsofthecanaries’cagesopen,andtocallthem,andtheprettylittlecleverlytrainedcreaturesperchfearlesslyonhishand,mounthisfatoutstretchedfingersonebyone,whenhetellsthemto`goupstairs,’andsingtogetherasiftheywouldbursttheirthroatswithdelightwhentheygettothetopfinger。Hiswhitemiceliveinalittlepagodaofgaily-paintedwirework,designedandmadebyhimself。Theyarealmostastameasthecanaries,andtheyareperpetuallyletoutlikethecanaries。Theycrawlalloverhim,poppinginandoutofhiswaistcoat,andsittingincouples,whiteassnow,onhiscapaciousshoulders。Heseemstobeevenfonderofhismicethanofhisotherpets,smilesatthem,andkissesthem,andcallsthembyallsortsofendearingnames。IfitbepossibletosupposeanEnglishmanwithanytasteforsuchchildishinterestsandamusementsasthese,thatEnglishmanwouldcertainlyfeelratherashamedofthem,andwouldbeanxioustoapologiseforthem,inthecompanyofgrown-uppeople。ButtheCount,apparently,seesnothingridiculousintheamazingcontrastbetweenhiscolossalselfandhisfraillittlepets。Hewouldblandlykisshiswhitemiceandtwittertohiscanary-birdsamidanassemblyofEnglishfox-hunters,andwouldonlypitythemasbarbarianswhentheywerealllaughingtheirloudestathim。 ItseemshardlycrediblewhileIamwritingitdown,butitiscertainlytrue,thatthissameman,whohasallthefondnessofanoldmaidforhiscockatoo,andallthesmalldexteritiesofanorgan-boyinmanaginghiswhitemice,cantalk,whenanythinghappenstorousehim,withadaringindependenceofthought,aknowledgeofbooksineverylanguage,andanexperienceofsocietyinhalfthecapitalsofEurope,whichwouldmakehimtheprominentpersonageofanyassemblyinthecivilisedworld。Thistrainerofcanary-birds,thisarchitectofapagodaforwhitemice,is(asSirPercivalhimselfhastoldme)oneofthefirstexperimentalchemistsliving,andhasdiscovered,amongotherwonderfulinventions,ameansofpetrifyingthebodyafterdeath,soastopreserveit,ashardasmarble,totheendoftime。Thisfat,indolent,elderlyman,whosenervesaresofinelystrungthathestartsatchancenoises,andwinceswhenheseesahouse-spanielgetawhipping,wentintothestable-yardonthemorningafterhisarrival,andputhishandontheheadofachainedbloodhound——abeastsosavagethattheverygroomwhofeedshimkeepsoutofhisreach。HiswifeandIwerepresent,andIshallnotforgetthescenethatfollowed,shortasitwas。 `Mindthatdog,sir,’saidthegroom;`hefliesateverybody!’`Hedoesthat,myfriend,’repliedtheCountquietly,`becauseeverybodyisafraidofhim。Letusseeifhefliesatme。’Andhelaidhisplump,yellow-whitefingers,onwhichthecanary-birdshadbeenperchingtenminutesbefore,upontheformidablebrute’shead,andlookedhimstraightintheeyes。`Youbigdogsareallcowards,’hesaid,addressingtheanimalcontemptuously,withhisfaceandthedog’swithinaninchofeachother。`Youwouldkillapoorcat,youinfernalcoward。Youwouldflyatastarvingbeggar,youinfernalcoward。Anythingthatyoucansurpriseunawares——anythingthatisafraidofyourbigbody,andyourwickedwhiteteeth,andyourslobbering,bloodthirstymouth,isthethingyouliketoflyat。Youcouldthrottlemeatthismoment,youmean,miserablebully,andyoudaren’tsomuchaslookmeintheface,becauseI’mnotafraidofyou。Willyouthinkbetterofit,andtryyourteethinmyfatneck?Bah!notyou!’Heturnedaway,laughingattheastonishmentofthemenintheyard,andthedogcreptbackmeeklytohiskennel。`Ah!mynicewaistcoat!’hesaidpathetically。`IamsorryIcamehere。Someofthatbrute’sslobberhasgotonmyprettycleanwaistcoat。’Thosewordsexpressanotherofhisincomprehensibleoddities。Heisasfondoffineclothesastheveriestfoolinexistence,andhasappearedinfourmagnificentwaistcoatsalready——alloflightgarishcolours,andallimmenselylargeevenforhim——inthetwodaysofhisresidenceatBlackwaterPark。 Histactandclevernessinsmallthingsarequiteasnoticeableasthesingularinconsistenciesinhischaracter,andthechildishtrivialityofhisordinarytastesandpursuits。 Icanseealreadythathemeanstoliveonexcellenttermswithallofusduringtheperiodofhissojourninthisplace。HehasevidentlydiscoveredthatLaurasecretlydislikeshim(sheconfessedasmuchtomewhenIpressedheronthesubject)——buthehasalsofoundoutthatsheisextravagantlyfondofflowers。Whenevershewantsanosegayhehasgotonetogiveher,gatheredandarrangedbyhimself,andgreatlytomyamusement,heisalwayscunninglyprovidedwithaduplicate,composedofexactlythesameflowers,groupedinexactlythesameway,toappeasehisicilyjealouswifebeforeshecansomuchasthinkherselfaggrieved。HismanagementoftheCountess(inpublic)isasighttosee。Hebowstoher,hehabituallyaddressesheras`myangel,’hecarrieshiscanariestopayherlittlevisitsonhisfingersandtosingtoher,hekissesherhandwhenshegiveshimhiscigarettes;hepresentsherwithsugar-plumsinreturn,whichheputsintohermouthplayfully,fromaboxinhispocket。Therodofironwithwhichherulesherneverappearsincompany——itisaprivaterod,andisalwayskeptupstairs。 Hismethodofrecommendinghimselftomeisentirelydifferent。HeflattersmyvanitybytalkingtomeasseriouslyandsensiblyasifIwasaman。Yes!IcanfindhimoutwhenIamawayfromhim——Iknowheflattersmyvanity,whenIthinkofhimuphereinmyownroom——andyet,whenIgodownstairs,andgetintohiscompanyagain,hewillblindmeagain,andIshallbeflatteredagain,justasifIhadneverfoundhimoutatall!HecanmanagemeashemanageshiswifeandLaura,ashemanagedthebloodhoundinthestable-yard,ashemanagesSirPercivalhimself,everyhourintheday。`MygoodPercival!howIlikeyourroughEnglishhumour!’——`MygoodPercival!howIenjoyyoursolidEnglishsense!’HeputstherudestremarksSirPercivalcanmakeonhiseffeminatetastesandamusementsquietlyawayfromhiminthatmanner——alwayscallingthebaronetbyhisChristianname,smilingathimwiththecalmestsuperiority,pattinghimontheshoulder,andbearingwithhimbenignantly,asagood-humouredfatherbearswithawaywardson。 TheinterestwhichIreallycannothelpfeelinginthisstrangelyoriginalmanhasledmetoquestionSirPercivalabouthispastlife。 SirPercivaleitherknowslittle,orwilltellmelittle,aboutit。HeandtheCountfirstmetmanyyearsago,atRome,underthedangerouscircumstancestowhichIhavealludedelsewhere。SincethattimetheyhavebeenperpetuallytogetherinLondon,inParis,andinVienna——butneverinItalyagain;theCounthaving,oddlyenough,notcrossedthefrontiersofhisnativecountryforyearspast。Perhapshehasbeenmadethevictimofsomepoliticalpersecution?Atallevents,heseemstobepatrioticallyanxiousnottolosesightofanyofhisowncountrymenwhomayhappentobeinEngland。Ontheeveningofhisarrivalheaskedhowfarwewerefromthenearesttown,andwhetherweknewofanyItaliangentlemenwhomighthappentobesettledthere。HeiscertainlyincorrespondencewithpeopleontheContinent,forhislettershaveallsortsofoddstampsonthem,andIsawoneforhimthismorning,waitinginhisplaceatthebreakfast-table,withahuge,official-lookingsealonit。Perhapsheisincorrespondencewithhisgovernment?Andyet,thatishardlytobereconciledeitherwithmyotherideathathemaybeapoliticalexile。 HowmuchIseemtohavewrittenaboutCountFosco!Andwhatdoesitallamountto?——aspoor,dearMrGilmorewouldask,inhisimpenetrablebusiness-likeway。IcanonlyrepeatthatIdoassuredlyfeel,evenonthisshortacquaintance,astrange,half-willing,half-unwillinglikingfortheCount。HeseemstohaveestablishedovermethesamesortofascendencywhichhehasevidentlygainedoverSirPercival。Free,andevenrude,ashemayoccasionallybeinhismannertowardshisfatfriend,SirPercivalisneverthelessafraid,asIcanplainlysee,ofgivinganyseriousoffencetotheCount。IwonderwhetherIamafraidtoo?Icertainlyneversawaman,inallmyexperience,whomlshouldbesosorrytohaveforanenemy。IsthisbecauseIlikehim,orbecauseIamafraidofhim?Chisa?——asCountFoscomightsayinhisownlanguage。Whoknows? June16th——Somethingtochronicletodaybesidesmyownideasandimpressions。Avisitorhasarrived——quiteunknowntoLauraandtome,andapparentlyquiteunexpectedbySirPercival。 Wewereallatlunch,intheroomwiththenewFrenchwindowsthatopenintotheverandah,andtheCount(whodevourspastryasIhaveneveryetseenitdevouredbyanyhumanbeingsbutgirlsatboarding-schools)hadjustamusedusbyaskinggravelyforhisfourthtart——whentheservantenteredtoannouncethevisitor。 `MrMerrimanhasjustcome,SirPercival,andwishestoseeyouimmediately。’ SirPercivalstarted,andlookedatthemanwithanexpressionofangryalarm。 `MrMerriman!’herepeated,asifhethoughthisownearsmusthavedeceivedhim。 `Yes,SirPercival——MrMerriman,fromLondon。’ `Whereishe?’ `Inthelibrary,SirPercival。’ Heleftthetabletheinstantthelastanswerwasgiven,andhurriedoutoftheroomwithoutsayingawordtoanyofus。 `WhoisMrMerriman?’askedLaura,appealingtome。 `Ihavenottheleastidea,’wasallIcouldsayinreply。 TheCounthadfinishedhisfourthtart,andhadgonetoaside-tabletolookafterhisviciouscockatoo。Heturnedroundtouswiththebirdperchedonhisshoulder。 `MrMerrimanisSirPercival’ssolicitor,’hesaidquietly。 SirPercival’ssolicitor。ItwasaperfectlystraightforwardanswertoLaura’squestion,andvet,underthecircumstances,itwasnotsatisfactory。IfMrMerrimanhadbeenspeciallysentfurbyhisclient,therewouldhavebeennothingverywonderfulinhisleavingtowntoobeythesummons。ButwhenalawyertravelsfromLondontoHampshirewithoutbeingsentfor,andwhenhisarrivalatagentleman’shouseseriouslystartlesthegentlemanhimself,itmaybesafelytakenforgrantedthatthelegalvisitoristhebearerofsomeveryimportantandveryunexpectednews——newswhichmaybeeitherverygoodorverybad,butwhichcannot,ineithercase,beofthecommoneverydaykind。 LauraandIsatsilentatthetableforaquarterofanhourormore,wonderinguneasilywhathadhappened,andwaitingforthechanceofSirPercival’sspeedyreturn。Therewerenosignsofhisreturn,andwerosetoleavetheroom。 TheCount,attentiveasusual,advancedfromthecornerinwhichhehadbeenfeedinghiscockatoo,withthebirdstillperchedonhisshoulder,andopenedthedoorforus。LauraandMadameFoscowentoutfirst。JustasIwasonthepointoffollowingthemhemadeasignwithhishand,andspoketome,beforeIpassedhim,intheoddestmanner。 `Yes,’hesaid,quietlyansweringtheunexpressedideaatthatmomentinmymind,asifIhadplainlyconfidedittohiminsomanywords——`yes,MissHalcombe,somethinghashappened。’ Iwasonthepointofanswering,`Ineversaidso,’buttheviciouscockatooruffledhisclippedwingsandgaveascreechthatsetallmynervesonedgeinaninstant,andmademeonlytoogladtogetoutoftheroom。 IjoinedLauraatthefootofthestairs。Thethoughtinhermindwasthesameasthethoughtinmine,whichCountFoscohadsurprised,andwhenshespokeherwordswerealmosttheechoofhis。She,too,saidtomesecretlythatshewasafraidsomethinghadhappened。 June16th——Ihaveafewlinesmoretoaddtothisday’sentrybeforeIgotobedtonight。 AbouttwohoursafterSirPercivalrosefromtheluncheon-tabletoreceivehissolicitor,MrMerriman,inthelibrary,Ileftmyroomalonetotakeawalkintheplantations。JustasIwasattheendofthelandingthelibrarydooropenedandthetwogentlemencameout。Thinkingitbestnottodisturbthembyappearingonthestairs,Iresolvedtodefergoingdowntilltheyladcrossedthehall。Althoughtheyspoketoeachotheringuardedtones,theirwordswerepronouncedwithsufficientdistinctnessofutterancetoreachmyears。 `Makeyourmindeasy,SirPercival,’Iheardthelawyersay;`itallrestswithLadyGlyde。’ Ihadturnedtogobacktomyownroomforaminuteortwo,butthesoundofLaura’snameonthelipsofastrangerstoppedmeinstantly。Idaresayitwasverywrongandverydiscreditabletolisten,butwhereisthewoman,inthewholerangeofoursex,whocanregulateheractionsbytheabstractprinciplesofhonour,whenthoseprinciplespointoneway,andwhenheraffections,andtheinterestswhichgrowoutofthem,pointtheother? Ilistened——andundersimilarcircumstancesIwouldlistenagain——yes!withmyearatthekeyhole,ifIcouldnotpossiblymanageitinanyotherway。 `Youquiteunderstand,SirPercival,’thelawyerwenton。`LadyGlydeistosignhernameinthepresenceofawitness——oroftwowitnesses,ifyouwishtobeparticularlycareful——andisthentoputherfingeronthesealandsay,``Ideliverthisasmyactanddeed。’’Ifthatisdoneinaweek’stimethearrangementwillbeperfectlysuccessful,andtheanxietywillbeallover。Ifnot——’ `Whatdoyoumeanby``ifnot’’?’askedSirPercivalangrily。`Ifthethingmustbedoneitshallbedone。Ipromiseyouthat,Merriman-’ `Justso,SirPercival——justso;buttherearetwoalternativesinalltransactions,andwelawyersliketolookbothoftheminthefaceboldly。Ifthroughanyextraordinarycircumstancethearrangementshouldnotbemade,IthinkImaybeabletogetthepartiestoacceptbillsatthreemonths。Buthowthemoneyistoberaisedwhenthebillsfalldue——’ `Damnthebills!Themoneyisonlytobegotinoneway,andinthatway,Itellyouagain,itshallbegot。Takeaglassofwine,Merriman,beforeyougo。’ `Muchobliged,SirPercival,Ihavenotamomenttoloseiflamtocatchtheup-train。Youwillletmeknowassoonasthearrangementiscomplete?andyouwillnotforgetthecautionIrecommended——’ `OfcourseIwon’t。There’sthedog-cartatthedoorforyou。Mygroomwillgetyoutothestationinnotime。Benjamin,drivelikemad!Jumpin。IfMrMerrimanmissesthetrainyouloseyourplace。Holdfast,Merriman,andifyouareupsettrusttothedeviltosavehisown。’Withthatpartingbenedictionthebaronetturnedaboutandwalkedbacktothelibrary。 Ihadnotheardmuch,butthelittlethathadreachedmyearswasenoughtomakemefeeluneasy。The`something’that`hadhappened’wasbuttooPlainlyaseriousmoneyembarrassment,andSirPercival’srelieffromitdependeduponLaura。Theprospectofseeingherinvolvedinherhusband’ssecretdifficultiesfilledmewithdismay,exaggerated,nodoubt,bymyignoranceofbusinessandmysettleddistrustofSirPercival。Insteadofgoingout,asIproposed,IwentbackimmediatelytoLaura’sroomtotellherwhatIhadheard。 Shereceivedmybadnewssocomposedlyastosurpriseme。Sheevidentlyknowsmoreofherhusband’scharacterandherhusband’sembarrassmentsthanIhavesuspecteduptothistime。 `Ifearedasmuch,’shesaid,`whenIheardofthatstrangegentlemanwhocalled,anddeclinedtoleavehisname。’ `Whodoyouthinkthegentlemanwas,then?’Iasked。 `SomepersonwhohasheavyclaimsonSirPercival,’sheanswered,`andwhohasbeenthecauseofMrMerriman’svisitheretoday。’ `Doyouknowanythingaboutthoseclaims?’ `No,Iknownoparticulars。’ `Youwillsignnothing,Laura,withoutfirstlookingatit?’ `Certainlynot,Marian。WhateverIcanharmlesslyandhonestlydotohelphimIwilldo——forthesakeofmakingyourlifeandmine,love,aseasyandashappyaspossible。ButIwilldonothingignorantly,whichwemight,oneday,havereasontofeelashamedof。Letussaynomoreaboutitnow。Youhavegotyourhaton——supposewegoanddreamawaytheafternooninthegrounds?’ Onleavingthehousewedirectedourstepstothenearestshade。 Aswepassedanopenspaceamongthetreesinfrontofthehouse,therewasCountFosco,slowlywalkingbackwardsandforwardsonthegrass,sunninghimselfinthefullblazeofthehotJuneafternoon。Hehadabroadstrawhaton,withaviolet-colouredribbonroundit。Ablueblouse,withprofusewhitefancy-workoverthebosom,coveredhisprodigiousbody,andwasgirtabouttheplacewherehiswaistmightoncehavebeenwithabroadscarletleatherbelt。Nankeentrousers,displayingmorewhitefancy-workovertheankles,andpurplemoroccoslippers,adornedhislowerextremities。HewassingingFigaro’sfamoussongintheBarberofSeville。withthatcrisplyfluentvocalisationwhichisneverheardfromanyotherthananItalianthroat,accompanyinghimselfontheconcertina,whichheplayedwithecstaticthrowings-upofhisarms,andgracefultwistingsandturningsofhishead,likeafatStCeciliamasqueradinginmaleattire。`Figaroqua!Figarola!Figarosu!Figarogiu!’sangtheCount,jauntilytossinguptheconcertinaatarm’slength,andbowingtous,ononesideoftheinstrument,withtheairygraceandeleganceofFigarohimselfattwentyvicarsofage。 `Takemywordforit,Laura,thatmanknowssomethingofSirPercival’sembarrassments,’Isaid,aswereturnedtheCount’ssalutationfromasafedistance。 `Whatmakesyouthinkthat?’sheasked。 `Howshouldhehaveknown,otherwise,thatMrMerrimanwasSirPercival’ssolicitor?’Irejoined。`Besides,whenIfollowedyououtoftheluncheon-room,hetoldme。withoutasinglewordofinquiryonmypart,thatsomethinghadhappened。Dependuponit,heknowsmorethanwedo。’ `Don’taskhimanyquestionsifhedoes。Don’ttakehimintoourconfidence。 `Youseemtodislikehim,Laura,inaverydeterminedmanner。Whathashesaidordonetojustifyyou?’ `Nothing,Marian。Onthecontrary,hewasallkindnessandattentiononourjourneyhome,andheseveraltimescheckedSirPercival’soutbreaksoftemper,inthemostconsideratemannertowardsme。PerhapsIdislikehimbecausehehassomuchmorepowerovermyhusbandthanIhave。Perhapsithurtsmypridetobeunderanyobligationstohisinterference。AllIknowis,thatIdodislikehim。’ Therestofthedayandeveningpassedquietlyenough。ThecountandIplayedatchess。Forthefirsttwogameshepolitelyallowedmetoconquerhim,andthen,whenhesawthatIhadfoundhimout,beggedmypardon,andatthethirdgamecheckmatedmeintenminutes。SirPercivalneveroncereferred,allthroughtheevening,tothelawyer’svisit。Buteitherthatevent,orsomethingelse,hadproducedasingularalterationforthebetterinhim。Hewasaspoliteandagreeabletoallofus,asheusedtobeinthedaysofhisprobationatLimmeridge,andhewassoamazinglyattentiveandkindtohiswife,thatevenicyMadameFoscowasrousedintolookingathimwithagravesurprise。Whatdoesthismean?IthinkIcanguess——IamafraidLauracanguess——andIamsureCountFoscoknows。IcaughtSirPercivallookingathimforapprovalmorethanonceinthecourseoftheevening。 June17th——Adayofevents。ImostferventlyhopeImaynothavetoadd,adayofdisastersaswell。 SirPercivalwasassilentatbreakfastashehadbeentheeveningbefore,onthesubjectofthemysterious`arrangement’(asthelawyercalledit)whichishangingoverourheads。Anhourafterwards,however,hesuddenlyenteredthemorning-room,wherehiswifeandIwerewaiting,withourhatson,forMadameFoscotojoinus,andinquiredfortheCount。 `Weexpecttoseehimheredirectly,’Isaid。 `Thefactis,’SirPercivalwenton,walkingnervouslyabouttheroom,`IwantFoscoandhiswifeinthelibrary,foramerebusinessformality,andIwantyouthere,Laura,foraminutetoo。’Hestopped,andappearedtonotice,forthefirsttime,thatwewereinourwalkingcostume。`Haveyoujustcomein?’heasked,`orwereyoujustgoingout?’ `Wewereallthinkingofgoingtothelakethismorning,’saidLaura。`Butifyouhaveanyotherarrangementtopropose——’ `No,no,’heansweredhastily。`Myarrangementcanwait。Afterlunchwilldoaswellforitasafterbreakfast。Allgoingtothelake,eh?Agoodidea。Let’shaveanidlemorning——I’llbeoneoftheparty。’ Therewasnomistakinghismanner,evenifithadbeenpossibletomistaketheuncharacteristicreadinesswhichhiswordsexpressed,tosubmithisownplansandprojectstotheconvenienceofothers。Hewasevidentlyrelievedatfindinganyexcusefordelayingthebusinessformalityinthelibrary,towhichhisownwordshadreferred。MyheartsankwithinmeasIdrewtheinevitableinference。 TheCountandhiswifejoinedusatthatmoment。Theladyhadherhusband’sembroideredtobacco-pouch,andherstoreofpaperinherhand,forthemanufactureoftheeternalcigarettes。Thegentleman,dressed,asusual,inhisblouseandstrawhat,carriedthegaylittlepagoda-cage,withhisdarlingwhitemiceinit,andsmiledonthem,andonus,withablandamiabilitywhichitwasimpossibletoresist。 `Withyourkindpermission,’saidtheCount,`Iwilltakemysmallfamilyhere——mypoor-little-harmless-pretty-Mouseys,outforanairingalongwithus。Therearedogsaboutthehouse,andshallIleavemyforlornwhitechildrenatthemerciesofthedogs?Ah,never!’ Hechirrupedpaternallyathissmallwhitechildrenthroughthebarsofthepagoda,andweallleftthehouseforthelake。 IntheplantationSirPercivalstrayedawayfromus。Itseemstobepartofhisrestlessdispositionalwaystoseparatehimselffromhiscompanionsontheseoccasions,andalwaystooccupyhimselfwhenheisaloneincuttingnewwalking-sticksforhisownuse。Themereactofcuttingandloppingathazardappearstopleasehim。Hehasfilledthehousewithwalking-sticksofhisownmaking,notoneofwhichheevertakesupforasecondtime。Whentheyhavebeenonceusedhisinterestinthemisallexhausted,andhethinksofnothingbutgoingonandmakingmore。 Attheoldboathousehejoinedusagain。Iwillputdowntheconversationthatensuredwhenwewereallsettledinourplacesexactlyasitpassed。Itisanimportantconversation,sofarasIamconcerned,forithasseriouslydisposedmetodistrusttheinfluencewhichCountFoscohasexercisedovermythoughtsandfeelings,andtoresistitforthefutureasresolutelyasIcan。 Theboat-housewaslargeenoughtoholdusall,butSirPercivalremainedoutsidetrimmingthelastnewstickwithhispocket-axe。Wethreewomenfoundplentyofroomonthelargeseat。Lauratookherwork,andMadameFoscobeganhercigarettes。I,asusual。hadnothingtodo。Myhandsalwayswere,andalwayswillbe,asawkwardasaman’s。TheCountgood-humouredlytookastoolmanysizestoosmallforhim,andbalancedhimselfonitwithhisbackagainstthesideoftheshed,whichcreakedandgroanedunderhisweight。HeputthePagoda-cageonhislap,andletoutthemicetocrawloverhimasusual。Theyarepretty,innocent-lookinglittlecreatures,butthesightofthemcreepingaboutaman’sbodyisforsomereasonnotpleasanttome。Itexcitesastrangeresponsivecreepinginmyownnerves,andsuggestshideousideasofmendyinginprisonwiththecrawlingcreaturesofthedungeonpreyingonthemundisturbed。 Themorningwaswindyandcloudy,andtherapidalternationsofshadowandsunlightoverthewasteofthelakemadetheviewlookdoublywild,weird,andgloomy。 `Somepeoplecallthatpicturesque,’saidSirPercival,pointingoverthewideprospectwithhishalf-finishedwalking-stick。`Icallitablotonagentleman’sproperty。Inmygreat-grandfather’stimethelakeflowedtothisplace。Lookatitnow。Itisnotfourfeetdeepanywhere,anditisallpuddlesandpools。IwishIcouldaffordtodrainit,andplantitallover。Mybailiff(asuperstitiousidiot)saysheisquitesurethelakehasacurseonit,liketheDeadSea。Whatdoyouthink,Fosco?Itlooksjusttheplaceforamurder,doesn’tit?’ `MygoodPercival,’remonstratedtheCount。`WhatisyoursolidEnglishsensethinkingof?Thewateristooshallowtohidethebody,andthereissandeverywheretoprintoffthemurderer’sfootsteps。Itis,uponthewhole,theveryworstplaceforamurderthatIeversetmyeyeson。’ `Humbug!’saidSirPercival,cuttingawayfiercelyathisstick。`YouknowwhatImean。Thedrearyscenery,thelonelysituation。Ifyouchoosetounderstandme,youcan——ifyoudon’tchoose,Iamnotgoingtotroublemyselftoexplainmymeaning。’ `Andwhynot,’askedtheCount,`whenyourmeaningcanbeexplainedbyanybodyintwowords?Ifafoolwasgoingtocommitamurder,yourlakeisthefirstplacehewouldchooseforit。Ifawisemanwasgoingtocommitamurder,yourlakeisthelastplacehewouldchooseforit。Isthatyourmeaning?Ifitis,thereisyourexplanationforyoureadymade。Takeit,Percival。withyourgoodFosco’sblessing。’ LauralookedattheCountwithherdislikeforhimappearingalittletooplainlyinherface。Hewassobusywithhismicethathedidnotnoticeher。 `Iamsorrytohearthelake-viewconnectedwithanythingsohorribleastheideaofmurder,’shesaid。`AndifCountFoscomustdividemurderersintoclasses,Ithinkhehasbeenveryunfortunateinhischoiceofexpressions。Todescribethemasfoolsonlyseemsliketreatingthemwithanindulgencetowhichtheyhavenoclaim。Andtodescribethemaswisemensoundstomelikeadownrightcontradictioninterms。Ihavealwaysheardthattrulywisemenaretrulygoodmen,andhaveahorrorofcrime。’ `Mydearlady,’saidtheCount,`thoseareadmirablesentiments,andIhaveseenthemstatedatthetopsofcopy-books。’Heliftedoneofthewhitemiceinthepalmofhishand,andspoketoitinhiswhimsicalway。`Myprettylittlesmoothwhiterascal,’hesaid,`hereisamorallessonforyou。Atrulywisemouseisatrulygoodmouse。Mentionthat,ifyouplease,toyourcompanions,andnevergnawatthebarsofyourcageagainaslongasyoulive。’ `Itiseasytoturneverythingintoridicule,’saidLauraresolutely;`butyouwillnotfinditquitesoeasy,CountFosco,togivemeaninstanceofawisemanwhohasbeenagreatcriminal。’ TheCountshruggedhishugeshoulders,andsmiledonLaurainthefriendliestmanner。 `Mosttrue!’hesaid。`Thefool’scrimeisthecrimethatisfoundout,andthewiseman’scrimeisthecrimethatisnotfoundout。IfIcouldgiveyouaninstance,itwouldnotbetheinstanceofawiseman。DearLadyGlyde,yoursoundEnglishcommonsensehasbeentoomuchforme。Itischeckmateformethistime,MissHalcombe——ha?’ `Standtoyourguns,Laura,’sneeredSirPercival,whohadbeenlisteninginhisplaceatthedoor。`Tellhimnext,thatcrimescausetheirowndetection。There’sanotherbitofcopybookmoralityforyou,Fosco。Crimescausetheirowndetection。Whatinfernalhumbug!’ `Ibelieveittobetrue,’saidLauraquietly。 SirPercivalburstoutlaughing,soviolently,sooutrageously,thathequitestartledusall——theCountmorethananyofus。 `Ibelieveittoo,’Isaid,comingtoLaura’srescue。 SirPercival,whohadbeenunaccountablyamusedathiswife’sremark,wasjustasunaccountablyirritatedbymine。Hestruckthenewsticksavagelyonthesand,andwalkedawayfromus。 `PoordearPercival!’criedCountFosco,lookingafterhimgaily,`heisthevictimofEnglishspleen。But,mydearMissHalcombe,mydearLadyGlyde,doyoureallybelievethatcrimescausetheirowndetection?Andyou,myangel,’hecontinued,turningtohiswife,whohadnotutteredawordyet,`doyouthinksotoo?’ `Iwaittobeinstructed,’repliedtheCountess,intonesoffreezingreproof,intendedforLauraandme,`beforeIventureongivingmyopinioninthepresenceofwell-informedmen。’ `Doyou,indeed?’Isaid。`lrememberthetime,Countess,whenyouadvocatedtheRightsofWomen,andfreedomoffemaleopinionwasoneofthem。’ `Whatisyourviewofthesubject,Count?’askedMadameFosco,calmlyproceedingwithhercigarettes,andnottakingtheleastnoticeofme。 TheCountstrokedoneofhiswhitemicereflectivelywithhischubbylittlefingerbeforeheanswered。 `Itistrulywonderful,’hesaid,`howeasilySocietycanconsoleitselffortheworstofitsshortcomingswithalittlebitofclap-trap。Themachineryithassetupforthedetectionofcrimeismiserablyineffective——andyetonlyinventamoralepigram,savingthatitworkswell,andyoublindeverybodytoitsblundersfromthatmoment。Crimescausetheirowndetection。dothey?Andmurderwillout(anothermoralepigram),willit?AskCoronerswhositatinquestsinlargetownsifthatistrue,LadyGlyde。Asksecretariesoflife-assurancecompaniesifthatistrue,MissHalcombe。Readyourownpublicjournals。Inthefewcasesthatgetintothenewspapers,aretherenotinstancesofslainbodiesfound,andnomurdererseverdiscovered?Multiplythecasesthatarereportedbythecasesthatarenotreported,andthebodiesthatarefoundbythebodiesthatarenotfound,andwhatconclusiondoyoucometo?This。Thattherearefoolishcriminalswhoarediscovered,andwisecriminalswhoescape。Thehidingofacrime,orthedetectionofacrime,whatisit?Atrialofskillbetweenthepoliceononeside,andtheindividualontheother。Whenthecriminalisabrutal,ignorantfool,thepoliceinninecasesoutoftenwin。Whenthecriminalisaresolute,educated,highly-intelligentman,thepoliceinninecasesoutoftenlose。Ifthepolicewin,yougenerallyhearallaboutit。Ifthepolicelose,yougenerallyhearnothing。AndonthistotteringfoundationyoubuildupyourcomfortablemoralmaximthatCrimecausesitsowndetection!Yes——allthecrimeyouknowof。Andwhatoftherest?’ `Devilishtrue,andverywellput,’criedavoiceattheentranceoftheboat-house。SirPercivalhadrecoveredhisequanimity,andhadcomebackwhilewewerelisteningtotheCount。 `Someofitmaybetrue,’Isaid,`andallofitmaybeverywellput。ButIdon’tseewhyCountFoscoshouldcelebratethevictoryofthecriminaloverSocietywithsomuchexultation,orwhyyou,SirPercival,shouldapplaudhimsoloudlyfordoingit。’ `Doyouhearthat,Fosco?’askedSirPercival。`Takemyadvice,andmakeyourpeacewithyouraudience。Tellthemvirtue’safinething——theylikethat,Icanpromiseyou。’ TheCountlaughedinwardlyandsilently,andtwoofthewhitemiceinhiswaistcoat,alarmedbytheinternalconvulsiongoingonbeneaththem。dartedoutinaviolenthurry,andscrambledintotheircageagain。 `Theladies,mygoodPercival,shalltellmeaboutvirtue,’hesaid。`TheyarebetterauthoritiesthanIam,fortheyknowwhatvirtueis,andIdon’t。’ `Youhearhim?’saidSirPercival。`Isn’titawful?’ `Itistrue,’saidtheCountquietly。`Iamacitizenoftheworld,andIhavemet,inmytime,withsomanydifferentsortsofvirtue,thatIampuzzled,inmyoldage,tosaywhichistherightsortandwhichisthewrong。Here,inEngland,thereisonevirtue。Andthere,inChina,thereisanothervirtue。AndJohnEnglishmansaysmyvirtueisthegenuinevirtue。AndJohnChinamansaysmyvirtueisthegenuinevirtue。AndIsayYestoone,orNototheother,andamjustasmuchbewilderedaboutitinthecaseofJohnwiththetop-bootsasIaminthecaseofJohnwiththepigtail。Ah,nicelittleMousey!come,kissme。WhatisyourownPrivatenotionofavirtuousman,mypret-pret-pretty?Amanwhokeepsyouwarm,andgivesyouplentytoeat。Andagoodnotion,too,foritisintelligible,attheleast。’ `Stayaminute,Count,’Iinterposed。`Acceptingyourillustration,surelywehaveoneunquestionablevirtueinEnglandwhichiswantinginChina。TheChineseauthoritieskillthousandsofinnocentpeopleonthemostfrivolouspretexts。WeinEnglandarefreefromallguiltofthatkind——wecommitnosuchdreadfulcrime——weabhorrecklessbloodshedwithallourhearts。’ `Quiteright,Marian,’saidLaura。`Wellthoughtof,andwellexpressed。’ `PrayallowtheCounttoProceed,’saidMadameFosco,withsterncivility。`YouWillfind,youngladies,thatheneverspeakswithouthavingexcellentreasonsforallthathesays。’ `Thankyou,myangel,’repliedtheCount。`Haveabonbon?’Hetookoutofhispocketaprettylittleinlaidbox,andplaceditopenonthetable。`ChocolateàlaVanille,’criedtheimpenetrableman,cheerfullyrattlingthesweetmeatsinthebox,andbowlingallround。`OfferedbyFoscoasanactofhomagetothecharmingSociety。’ `Begoodenoughtogoon,Count,’saidhiswife,withaspitefulreferencetomyself。`ObligemebyansweringMissHalcombe。’ `MissHalcombeisunanswerable,’repliedthepoliteItalian;`thatistosay,sofarasshedoes。Yes!Iagreewithher。JohnBulldoesabhorthecrimesofJohnChinaman。Heisthequickestoldgentlemanatfindingoutfaultsthatarehisneighbours’,andtheslowestoldgentlemanatfindingoutthefaultsthatarehisown,whoexistsonthefaceofcreation。Ishesoverymuchbetterinhiswaythanthepeoplewhomhecondemnsintheirway?EnglishSociety,MissHalcombe,isasoftentheaccompliceasitistheenemyofcrime。Yes!yes!Crimeisinthiscountrywhatcrimeisinothercountries——agoodfriendtoamanandtothoseabouthimasoftenasitisanenemy。Agreatrascalprovidesforhiswifeandfamily。Theworseheisthemorehemakesthemtheobjectsforyoursympathy。Heoftenprovidesalsoforhimself。Aprofligatespendthriftwhoisalwaysborrowingmoneywillgetmorefromhisfriendthantherigidlyhonestmanwhoonlyborrowsofthemonce,underpressureofthedirectwant。Intheonecasethefriendswillnotbeatallsurprised,andtheywillFive。Intheothercasetheywillbeverymuchsurprised,andtheywillhesitate。IstheprisonthatMrScoundrellivesinattheendofhiscareeramoreuncomfortableplacethantheworkhousethatMrHonestylivesinattheendofhiscareer?WhenJohn-Howard-Philanthropistwantstorelievemiseryhegoestofinditinprisons,wherecrimeiswretched——notinhutsandhovels。wherevirtueiswretchedtoo。WhoistheEnglishpoetwhohaswonthemostuniversalsympathy——whomakestheeasiestofallsubjectsforpatheticwritingandpatheticpainting?Thatniceyoungpersonwhobeganlifewithaforgery,andendeditbysuicide——yourdear,romantic,interestingChatterton。Whichgetsonbest,doyouthink,oftwopoorstarvingdressmakers——thewomanwhoresiststemptationandishonest,orthewomanwhofallsundertemptationandsteals?Youallknowthatthestealingisthemakingofthatsecondwoman’sfortune——itadvertisesherfromlengthtobreadthofgood-humoured,charitableEngland——andsheisrelieved,asthebreakerofacommandment,whenshewouldhavebeenlefttostarve,asthekeeperofit。Comehere,myjollylittleMouse!Hey!presto!pass!Itransformyou,forthetimebeing,intoarespectablelady。Stopthere,inthepalmofmygreatbighand,mydear,andlisten。Youmarrythepoormanwhomyoulove,Mouse,andonehalfyourfriendspity,andtheotherhalfblameyou。Andnow,onthecontrary,yousellyourselfforgoldtoamanyoudon’tcarefor,andallyourfriendsrejoiceoveryou,andaministerofpublicworshipsanctionsthebasehorrorofthevilestofallhumanbargainsandsmilesandsmirksafterwardsatyourtable,ifyouarepoliteenoughtoaskhimtobreakfast。Hey!presto!pass!Beamouseagain,andsqueak。Ifyoucontinuetobealadymuchlonger,IshallhaveyoutellingmethatSocietyabhorscrime——andthen,Mouse,Ishalldoubtifyourowneyesandearsarereallyofanyusetoyou。Ah!Iamabadman,LadyGlyde,amInot?Isaywhatotherpeopleonlythink,andwhenalltherestoftheworldisinaconspiracytoacceptthemaskforthetrueface,mineistherashhandthattearsofftheplumppasteboard,andshowstheharebonesbeneath。Iwillgetuponmybigelephant’slegs,beforeIdomyselfanymoreharminyouramiableestimations——Iwillgetupandtakealittleairywalkofmyown。Dearladies,asyourexcellentSheridansaid,Igo——andleavemycharacterbehindme。’ Hegotup,putthecageonthetable,andpausedforamomenttocountthemiceinit。`One,two,three,four——Ha!’hecried,withalookofhorror,`where,inthenameofHeaven,isthefifth——theyoungest,thewhitest,themostamiableofall——myBenjaminofmice!’ NeitherLauranorIwereinanyfavourabledispositiontobeamused。TheCount’sglibcynicismhadrevealedanewaspectofhisnaturefromwhichwebothrecoiled。Butitwasimpossibletoresistthecomicaldistressofsoverylargeamanatthelossofsoverysmallamouse。Welaughedinspiteofourselves;andwhenMadameFoscorosetosettheexampleofleavingtheboathouseempty,sothatherhusbandmightsearchittoitsremotestcorners,welosealsotofollowherout。 Beforewehadtakenthreesteps,theCount’squickeyediscoveredthelostmouseundertheseatthatwehadbeenoccupying。Hepulledasidethebench,tookthelittleanimalupinhishand,andthensuddenlystopped,onhisknees,lookingintentlyataparticularplaceonthegroundjustbeneathhim。 Whenherosetohisfeetagain,hishandshooksothathecouldhardlyputthemousebackinthecage,andhisfacewasofafaintlividyellowhueallover。 `Percival!’hesaid,inawhisper。`percival!comehere。’ SirPercivalhadpaidnoattentiontoanyofusforthelasttenminutes。Hehadbeenentirelyabsorbedinwritingfiguresonthesand。andthenrubbingthemoutagainwiththepointofhisstick。 `What’sthematternow?’heasked,loungingcarelesslyintotheboat-house。 `Doyouseenothingthere?’saidtheCount,catchinghimnervouslybythecollarwithonehand,andpointingwiththeothertotheplacenearwhichhehadfoundthemouse。 `Iseeplentyofdrysand,’answeredSirPercival,`andaspotofdirtinthemiddleofit。’ `Notdirt,’whisperedtheCount,fasteningtheotherhandsuddenlyonSirPercival’scollar,andshakingitinhisagitation。`Blood。’ Laurawasnearenoughtohearthelastword,softlyashewhisperedit。Sheturnedtomewithalookofterror。 `Nonsense,mydear,’Isaid。`Thereisnoneedtobealarmed。Itisonlythebloodofapoorlittlestraydog。’ Everybodywasastonished,andeverybody’seyeswerefixedonmeinquiringly。 `Howdoyouknowthat?’askedSirPercival,speakingfirst。 `Ifoundthedoghere,dying,onthedaywhenyouallreturnedfromabroad,’Ireplied。`Thepoorcreaturehadstrayedintotheplantation,andhadbeenshotbyyourkeeper。’ `Whosedogwasit?’inquiredSirPercival。`Notoneofmine?’ `Didyoutrytosavethepoorthing?’askedLauraearnestly。`Surelyyoutriedtosaveit,Marian?’ `Yes,’Isaid,`thehousekeeperandIbothdidourbest——butthedogwasmortallywounded,andhediedunderourhands。’ `Whosedogwasit?’persistedSirPercival,repeatinghisquestionalittleirritably。`Oneofmine?’ `No,notoneofyours。’ `Whosethen?Didthehousekeeperknow?’ Thehousekeeper’sreportofMrsCatherick’sdesiretoconcealhervisittoBlackwaterParkfromSirPercival’sknowledgerecurredtomymemorythemomentheputthatlastquestion,andIhalfdoubtedthediscretionofansweringit;butinmyanxietytoquietthegeneralalarm,Ihadthoughtlesslyadvancedtoofartodrawhack,exceptattheriskofexcitingsuspicion,whichmightonlymakemattersworse。Therewasnothingforitbuttoansweratonce,withoutreferencetoresults。 `Yes,’Isaid。`Thehousekeeperknew。ShetoldmeitwasMrsCatherick’sdog。’ SirPercivalhadhithertoremainedattheinnerendoftheboat-housewithCountFosco,whileIspoketohimfromthedoor。ButtheinstantMrsCatherick’snamepassedmylipshepushedbytheCountroughly,andplacedhimselffacetofacewithmeundertheopendaylight。 `HowcamethehousekeepertoknowitwasMrsCatherick’sdog?’heasked,fixinghiseyesonminewithafrowninginterestandattention,whichhalfangered,halfstartledme。 `Sheknewit,’Isaidquietly,`becauseMrsCatherickbroughtthedogwithher。’ `Broughtitwithher?Wheredidshebringitwithher?’ `Tothishouse。’ `WhatthedevildidMrsCatherickwantatthishouse?’ Themannerinwhichheputthequestionwasevenmoreoffensivethanthelanguageinwhichheexpressedit。Imarkedmysenseofhiswantofcommonpolitenessbysilentlyturningawayfromhim。 JustasImovedtheCount’spersuasivehandwaslaidonhisshoulder,andtheCount’smellifluousvoiceinterposedtoquiethim。 `MydearPercival!——gently——gently!’ SirPercivallookedroundinhisangriestmanner。TheCountonlysmiledandrepeatedthesoothingapplication。 `Gently,mygoodfriend——gently!’ SirPercivalhesitated,followedmeafewsteps,and,tomygreatsurprise,offeredmeanapology。 `Ibegyourpardon,MissHalcombe,’hesaid。`Ihavebeenoutoforderlately,andIamafraidIamalittleirritable。ButIshouldliketoknowwhatMrsCatherickcouldpossiblywanthere。Whendidshecome?Wasthehousekeepertheonlypersonwhosawher?’ `Theonlyperson,’Ianswered,`sofarasIknow。’ TheCountinterposedagain。 `Inthatcasewhynotquestionthehousekeeper?’hesaid。`Whynotgo,Percival,tothefountain-headofinformationatonce?’ `Quiteright!’saidSirPercival。`Ofcoursethehousekeeperisthefirstpersontoquestion。Excessivelystupidofmenottoseeitmyself。’Withthosewordsheinstantlyleftustoreturntothehouse。 ThemotiveoftheCount’sinterference,whichhadpuzzledmeatfirst,betrayeditselfwhenSirPercival’sbackwasturned。HehadahostofquestionstoputtomeaboutMrsCatherick,andthecauseofhervisittoBlackwaterPark,whichhecouldscarcelyhaveaskedinhisfriend’spresence。ImademyanswersasshortasIcivillycould,forIhadalreadydeterminedtochecktheleastapproachtoanyexchangingofconfidencesbetweenCountFoscoandmyself。Laura,however,unconsciouslyhelpedhimtoextractallmyinformation,bymakinginquiriesherself,whichleftmenoalternativebuttoreplytoher,ortoappearintheveryunenviableandveryfalsecharacterofadepositaryofSirPercival’ssecrets。Theendofitwas,that,inabouttenminutes’time,theCountknewasmuchasIknowofMrsCatherick,andoftheeventswhichhavesostrangelyconnecteduswithherdaughter,Anne,fromthetimewhenHartrightmetwithhertothisday。 Theeffectofmyinformationonhimwas,inonerespect,curiousenough。 IntimatelyasheknowsSirPercival,andcloselyasheappearstobeassociatedwithSirPercival’sprivateaffairsingeneral,heiscertainlyasfarasIamfromknowinganythingofthetruestoryofAnneCatherick。Theunsolvedmysteryinconnectionwiththisunhappywomanisnowrendereddoublysuspicious,inmyeyes,bytheabsoluteconvictionwhichIfeel,thatthecluetoithasbeenhiddenbySirPercivalfromthemostintimatefriendhehasintheworld。ItwasimpossibletomistaketheeagercuriosityoftheCount’slookandmannerwhilehedrankingreedilyeverywordthatfellfrommylips。Therearemanykindsofcuriosity,Iknow——butthereisnomisinterpretingthecuriosityofblanksurprise:ifIeversawitinmylifeIsawitintheCount’sface。 Whilethequestionsandanswersweregoingon,wehadallbeenstrollingquietlybackthroughtheplantation。AssoonaswereachedthehousethefirstobjectthatwesawinfrontofitwasSirPercival’sdog-cart,withthehorseputtoandthegroomwaitingbyitinhisstable-jacket。Iftheseunexpectedappearancesweretobetrusted,theexaminationofthehousekeeperhadproducedimportantresultsalready。 `Afinehorse,myfriend,’saidtheCount,addressingthegroomwiththemostengagingfamiliarityofmanner。`Youaregoingtodriveout?’ `Iamnotgoing,sir,’repliedtheman,lookingathisstable-jacket,andevidentlywonderingwhethertheforeigngentlemantookitforhislivery。`Mymasterdriveshimself。’ `Aha!’saidtheCount,`doesheindeed?Iwonderhegiveshimselfthetroublewhenhehasgotyoutodriveforhim。Ishegoingtofatiguethatnice,shining,prettyhorsebytakinghimveryfartoday?’ `Idon’tknow,sir,’answeredtheman。`Thehorseisamare,ifyouplease,sir。She’sthehighest-couragedthingwe’vegotinthestables。Hername’sBrownMolly,sir,andshe’llgotillshedrops。SirPercivalusuallytakesIsaacofYorkfortheshortdistances。’ `AndyourshiningcourageousBrownMollyforthelong?’ `Yes,sir。’ `Logicalinference,MissHalcombe,’continuedtheCount,wheelingroundbriskly,andaddressingme。`SirPercivalisgoingalongdistancetoday。’ Imadenoreply。Ihadmyowninferencestodraw,fromwhatIknewthroughthehousekeeperandfromwhatIsawbeforeme,andIdidnotchoosetosharethemwithCountFosco。 WhenSirPercivalwasinCumberland(Ithoughttomyself),hewalkedawayalongdistance,onAnne’saccount,toquestionthefamilyatTodd’sCorner。NowheisinHampshire,ishegoingtodriveawayalongdistance,onAnne’saccountagain,toquestionMrsCatherickatWelmingham? Weallenteredthehouse。AswecrossedthehallSirPercivalcameoutfromthelibrarytomeetus。Helookedhurriedandpaleandanxious——butforallthat,hewasinhismostpolitemoodwhenhespoketous。 `IamsorrytosayIamobligedtoleaveyou,’hebegan——`alongdrive——amatterthatIcan’tverywellputoff。Ishallbebackingoodtimetomorrow——butbeforeIgoIshouldlikethatlittlebusiness-formality,whichIspokeofthismorning,tobesettled。Laura,willyoucomeintothelibrary?Itwon’ttakeaminute——amereformality。Countess,mayItroubleyoualso?IwantyouandtheCountess,Fosco,tobewitnessestoasignature——nothingmore。Comeinatonceandgetitover。’ Heheldthelibrarydooropenuntiltheyhadpassedin,followedthem,andshutitsoftly。 Iremained,foramomentafterwards,standingaloneinthehall,withmyheartbeatingfastandmymindmisgivingmesadly。ThenIwentontothestaircase,andascendedslowlytomyownroom。