第11章
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  IsitnecessarytosaywhatmyfirstimpressionwaswhenIlookedatmyvisitor’scard?Surelynot!Mysisterhavingmarriedaforeigner,therewasbutoneimpressionthatanymaninhissensescouldpossiblyfeel。OfcoursetheCounthadcometoborrowmoneyofme。

  `Louis,’Isaid,`doyouthinkhewouldgoawayifyougavehimfiveshillings?’

  Louislookedquiteshocked。Hesurprisedmeinexpressiblybydeclaringthatmysister’sforeignhusbandwasdressedsuperbly,andlookedthepictureofprosperity。Underthesecircumstancesmyfirstimpressionalteredtoacertainextent。InowtookitforgrantedthattheCounthadmatrimonialdifficultiesofhisowntocontendwith,andthathehadcome,liketherestofthefamily,tocastthemallonmyshoulders。

  `Didhementionhisbusiness?’Iasked。

  `CountFoscosaidhehadcomehere,sir,becauseMissHalcombewasunabletoleaveBlackwaterPark。’

  Freshtroubles,apparently。Notexactlyhisown,asIhadsupposed,butdearMarian’s。Troubles,anyway。Ohdear!

  `Showhimin,’Isaidresignedly。

  TheCount’sfirstappearancereallystartledme。HewassuchanalarminglylargepersonthatIquitetrembled-Ifeltcertainthathewouldshakethefloorandknockdownmyart-treasures。Hedidneithertheonenortheother。Hewasrefreshinglydressedinsummercostume——hismannerwasdelightfullyself-possessedandquiet——hehadacharmingsmile。Myfirstimpressionofhimwashighlyfavourable。Itisnotcreditabletomypenetration——asthesequelwillshow——toacknowledgethis,butIamanaturallycandidman,andIdoacknowledgeitnotwithstanding。

  `Allowmetopresentmyself,MrFairlie,’hesaid。`IcomefromBlackwaterPark,andIhavethehonourandthehappinessofbeingMadameFosco’shusband。Letmetakemyfirstandlastadvantageofthatcircumstancebyentreatingyounottomakeastrangerofme。Ibegyouwillnotdisturbyourself——Ibegyouwillnotmove。’

  `Youareverygood,’Ireplied。`IwishIwasstrongenoughtogetup。CharmedtoseeyouatLimmeridge。Pleasetakeachair。’

  `Iamafraidyouaresufferingtoday,’saidtheCount。

  `Asusual,’Isaid。`Iamnothingbutabundleofnervesdresseduptolooklikeaman。’

  `Ihavestudiedmanysubjectsinmytime,’remarkedthissympatheticperson。`Amongotherstheinexhaustiblesubjectofnerves。MayImakeasuggestion,atoncethesimplestandthemostprofound?Willyouletmealterthelightinyourroom?’

  `Certainly——ifyouwillbesoverykindasnottoletanyofitinonme。’

  Hewalkedtothewindow。SuchacontrasttodearMarian!soextremelyconsiderateinallhismovements!

  `Light,’hesaid,inthatdelightfulconfidentialtonewhichissosoothingtoaninvalid,`isthefirstessential。Lightstimulates。nourishes,preserves。Youcannomoredowithoutit,MrFairlie,thanifyouwereaflower。Observe。Here,whereyousit,Iclosetheshutterstocomposeyou。There,whereyoudonotsit,Idrawuptheblindandletintheinvigoratingsun。Admitthelightintoyourroomifyoucannotbearitonyourself。Light,sir,isthegranddecreeofProvidence。YouacceptProvidencewithyourownrestrictions。Acceptlightonthesameterms。’

  Ithoughtthisveryconvincingandattentive。Hehadtakenmeinuptothatpointaboutthelight,hehadcertainlytakenmein。

  `Youseemeconfused,’hesaid。returningtohisplace——`onmywordofhonour,MrFairlie,youseemeconfusedinyourpresence。’

  `Shockedtohearit,Iamsure。MayIinquirewhy?’

  `Sir,canIenterthisroomwhereyousitasufferer,andseeyousurroundedbytheseadmirableobjectsofArt,withoutdiscoveringthatyouareamanwhosefeelingsareacutelyimpressionable,whosesympathiesareperpetuallyalive?Tellme,canIdothis?’

  IfIhadbeenstrongenoughtositupinmychairIshould,ofcourse,havebowed。Notbeingstrongenough,Ismiledmyacknowledgmentsinstead。Itdidjustaswell,webothunderstoodoneanother。

  `Prayfollowmytrainofthought,’continuedtheCount。`Isithere,amanofrefinedsympathiesmyself,inthepresenceofanothermanofrefinedsympathiesalso。Iamconsciousofaterriblenecessityforlaceratingthosesympathiesbyreferringtodomesticeventsofaverymelancholykind。Whatistheinevitableconsequence?Ihavedonemyselfthehonourofpointingitouttoyoualready。Isitconfused。’

  WasitatthispointthatIbegantosuspecthewasgoingtoboreme?Iratherthinkitwas。

  `Isitabsolutelynecessarytorefertotheseunpleasantmatters?’Iinquired。`InourhomelyEnglishphrase,CountFosco,won’ttheykeep?’

  TheCount,withthemostalarmingsolemnity,sighedandshookhishead。

  `MustIreallyhearthem?’

  Heshruggedhisshouldersitwasthefirstforeignthinghehaddonesincehehadbeenintheroom,andlookedatmeinanunpleasantlypenetratingmanner。MyinstinctstoldmethatIhadbetterclosemyeyes。Iobeyedmyinstincts。

  `Pleasebreakitgently,’Ipleaded。`Anybodydead?’

  `Dead!’criedtheCount,withunnecessaryforeignfierceness。`MrFairlie,yournationalcomposureterrifiesme。InthenameofHeaven,whathaveIsaidordonetomakeyouthinkmethemessengerofdeath?’

  `Prayacceptmyapologies,’Ianswered。`Youhavesaidanddonenothing。Imakeitaruleinthesedistressingcasesalwaystoanticipatetheworst-Itbreakstheblowbymeetingithalf-way,andsoon。Inexpressiblyrelieved,Iamsure,tohearthatnobodyisdead。Anybodyill?’

  Iopenedmyeyesandlookedathim。Washeveryyellowwhenhecamein,orhadheturnedveryyellowinthelastminuteortwo?Ireallycan’tsay,andIcan’taskLouis,becausehewasnotintheroomatthetime。

  `Anybodyill?’Irepeated,observingthatmynationalcomposurestillappearedtoaffecthim。

  `Thatispartofmybadnews,MrFairlie。Yes。Somebodyisill。’

  `Grieved,Iamsure。Whichofthemisit?’

  `Tomyprofoundsorrow,MissHalcombe。Perhapsyouwereinsomedegreepreparedtohearthis?PerhapswhenyoufoundthatMissHalcombedidnotcomeherebyherself,asyouproposed,anddidnotwriteasecondtime,youraffectionateanxietymayhavemadeyoufearthatshewasill?’

  Ihavenodoubtmyaffectionateanxietyhadledtothatmelancholyapprehensionatsometimeorother,butatthemomentmywretchedmemoryentirelyfailedtoremindmeofthecircumstance。However,Isaidyes,injusticetomyself。Iwasmuchshocked。ItwassoveryuncharacteristicofsucharobustpersonasdearMariantobeill,thatIcouldonlysupposeshehadmetwithanaccident。Ahorse,orafalsesteponthestairs,orsomethingofthatsort。

  `Isitserious?’Iasked。

  `Serious——beyondadoubt,’hereplied。`Dangerous——Ihopeandtrustnot。MissHalcombeunhappilyexposedherselftobewettedthroughbyaheavyrain。Thecoldthatfollowedwasofanaggravatedkind,andithasnowbroughtwithittheworstconsequences——fever。’

  WhenIheardthewordfever,andwhenIrememberedatthesamemomentthattheunscrupulouspersonwhowasnowaddressingmehadjustcomefromBlackwaterPark,IthoughtIshouldhavefaintedonthespot。

  `GoodGod!’Isaid。`Isitinfectious?’

  `Notatpresent,’heanswered,withdetestablecomposure。`Itmayturntoinfection——butnosuchdeplorablecomplicationhadtakenplacewhenIleftBlackwaterPark。Ihavefeltthedeepestinterestinthecase,MrFairlie——Ihaveendeavouredtoassisttheregularmedicalattendantinwatchingit——acceptmypersonalassurancesoftheuninfectiousnatureofthefeverwhenIlastsawit。’

  Accepthisassurances!Ineverwasfartherfromacceptinganythinginmylife。Iwouldnothavebelievedhimonhisoath。Hewastooyellowtobebelieved。Helookedlikeawalking-West-Indian-epidemic。Hewasbigenoughtocarrytyphusbytheton,andtodyetheverycarpethewalkedonwithscarletfever。Incertainemergenciesmymindisremarkablysoonmadeup。Iinstantlydeterminedtogetridofhim。

  `Youwillkindlyexcuseaninvalid,’Isaid——`butlongconferencesofanykindinvariablyupsetme。MayIbegtoknowexactlywhattheobjectistowhichIamindebtedforthehonourofyourvisit?’

  Iferventlyhopedthatthisremarkablybroadhintwouldthrowhimoffhisbalance——confusehim——reducehimtopoliteapologies——inshort,gethimoutoftheroom。Onthecontrary,itonlysettledhiminhischair。Hebecameadditionallysolemn,anddignified,andconfidential。Hehelduptwoofhishorridfingersandgavemeanotherofhisunpleasantlypenetratinglooks。WhatwasItodo?Iwasnotstrongenoughtoquarrelwithhim。Conceivemysituation,ifyouplease。Islanguageadequatetodescribeit?Ithinknot。

  `Theobjectsofmyvisit,’hewenton,quiteirrepressibly,`arenumberedonmyfingers。Theyaretwo。First,Icometobearmytestimony,withprofoundsorrow,tothelamentabledisagreementsbetweenSirPercivalandLadyGlyde。IamSirPercival’soldestfriend——IamrelatedtoLadyGlydebymarriage——Iamaneye-witnessofallthathashappenedatBlackwaterPark。InthosethreecapacitiesIspeakwithauthority,withconfidence,withhonourableregret。Sir,Iinformyou,astheheadofladyGlyde’sfamily,thatMissHalcombehasexaggeratednothingintheletterwhichshewrotetoyouraddress。Iaffirmthattheremedywhichthatadmirableladyhasproposedistheonlyremedythatwillspareyouthehorrorsofpublicscandal。Atemporaryseparationbetweenhusbandandwifeistheonepeaceablesolutionofthisdifficulty。Partthemforthepresent,andwhenallcausesofirritationareremoved,I,whohavenowthehonourofaddressingyou——IwillundertaketobringSirPercivaltoreason。LadyGlydeisinnocent,LadyGlydeisinjured,but——followmythoughthere!——sheis,onthatveryaccountIsayitwithshame,thecauseofirritationwhilesheremainsunderherhusband’sroof。Nootherhousecanreceiveherwithproprietybutyours。Iinviteyoutoopenit。’

  Cool。HerewasamatrimonialhailstormpouringintheSouthofEngland,andIwasinvited,byamanwithfeverineveryfoldofhiscoat,tocomeoutfromtheNorthofEnglandandtakemyshareofthepelting。Itriedtoputthepointforcibly。justasIhaveputithere-TheCountdeliberatelyloweredoneofhishorridfingers,kepttheotherup,andwenton——rodeoverme,asitwere,withouteventhecommoncoachmanlikeattentionofcrying`Hi!’beforeheknockedmedown。

  `Followmythoughtoncemore,ifyouplease,’heresumed。`Myfirstobjectyouhaveheard。MysecondobjectincomingtothishouseistodowhatMissHalcombe’sillnesshaspreventedherfromdoingforherself。MylargeexperienceisconsultedonalldifficultmattersatBlackwaterPark,andmyfriendlyadvicewasrequestedontheinterestingsubjectofyourlettertoMissHalcombe-Iunderstoodatonce——formysympathiesareyoursympathies——whyyouwishedtoseeherherebeforeyoupledgedyourselftoinvitingLadyGlyde。Youaremostright,sir,inhesitatingtoreceivethewifeuntilyouarequitecertainthatthehusbandwillnotexerthisauthoritytoreclaimher。Iagreetothat。Ialsoagreethatsuchdelicateexplanationsasthisdifficultyinvolvesarenotexplanationswhichcanbeproperlydisposedofbywritingonly。MypresenceheretomyowngreatinconvenienceistheproofthatIspeaksincerely。Asfortheexplanationsthemselves,I——Fosco——I,whoknowSirPercivalmuchbetterthanMissHalcombeknowshim,affirmtoyou,onmyhonourandmyword,thathewillnotcomenearthishouse,orattempttocommunicatewiththishouse,whilehiswifeislivinginit。Hisaffairsareembarrassed。OfferhimhisfreedombymeansoftheabsenceofLadyGlyde。Ipromiseyouhewilltakehisfreedom,andgobacktotheContinentattheearliestmomentwhenhecangetaway。Isthiscleartoyouascrystal?Yes,itis。Haveyouquestionstoaddresstome?Beitso,Iamheretoanswer-Ask,MrFairlie——obligemebyaskingtoyourheart’scontent。

  Hehadsaidsomuchalreadyinspiteofme,andhelookedsodreadfullycapableofsavingagreatdealmorealsoinspiteofme,thatIdeclinedhisamiableinvitationinpureself-defence。

  `Manythanks。Ireplied。`Iamsinkingfast。InmystateofhealthImusttakethingsforgranted。Allowmetodosoonthisoccasion。Wequiteunderstandeachother。Yes。Muchobliged,Iamsure,foryourkindinterference。IfIevergetbetter,andeverhaveasecondopportunityofimprovingouracquaintance——’

  Hegotup。Ithoughthewasgoing。No。Moretalk,moretimeforthedevelopmentofinfectiousinfluences——inmyroom,too——rememberthat,inmyroom!

  `Onemomentvet。’hesaid。`onemomentbeforeItakemyleave。Iaskpermissionatpartingtoimpressonyouanurgentnecessity。Itisthis,sir。YoumustnotthinkofwaitingtillMissHalcomberecoversbeforeyoureceiveLadyGlyde。MissHalcombehastheattendanceofthedoctor,ofthehousekeeperatBlackwaterPark,andofanexperiencednurseaswell——threepersonsforwhosecapacityanddevotionIanswerwithmylife。Itellyouthat。Itellyou,also,thattheanxietyandalarmofhersister’sillnesshasalreadyaffectedthehealthandspiritsofLadyGlyde,andhasmadehertotallyunfittobeofuseinthesickroom。Herpositionwithherhusbandgrowsmoreandmoredeplorableanddangerouseveryday。IfyouleaveheranylongeratBlackwaterPark,youdonothingwhatevertohastenhersister’srecovery,andatthesametime,youriskthepublicscandal。whichyouandI,andallofus,areboundinthesacredinterestsofthefamilytoavoid。Withallmysoul,IadviseyoutoremovetheseriousresponsibilityofdelayfromyourownshouldersbywritingtoLadyGlydetocomehereatonce。Doyouraffectionate,yourhonourable,yourinevitableduty,andwhateverhappensinthefuture,noonecanlaytheblameonyou。Ispeakfrommylargeexperience——Ioffermyfriendlyadvice。Isitaccepted——Yes,orNo?’

  Ilookedathim——merelylookedathim——withmysenseofhisamazingassurance,andmydawningresolutiontoringforLouisandhavehimshownoutoftheroomexpressedineverylineofmyface。Itisperfectlyincredible,butquitetrue,thatmyfacedidnotappeartoproducetheslightestimpressiononhim。Bornwithoutnerves——evidentlybornwithoutnerves。

  `Youhesitate?’hesaid。`MrFairlie!Iunderstandthathesitation。Youobject——see,sir,howmysympathieslookstraightdownintoyourthoughts!——youobjectthatLadyGlydeisnotinhealthandnotinspiritstotakethelongjourney,fromHampshiretothisplace,byherself。Herownmaidisremovedfromher,asyouknow,andofotherservantsfittotravelwithher,fromoneendofEnglandtoanother,therearenoneatBlackwaterPark。Youobject,again,thatshecannotcomfortablystopandrestinLondon,onherwayhere,becauseshecannotcomfortablygoalonetoapublichotelwheresheisatotalstranger。Inonebreath,Igrantbothobjections——inanotherbreath,Iremovethem。Followme,ifyouplease,forthelasttime。Itwasmyintention,whenIreturnedtoEnglandwithSirPercival,tosettlemyselfintheneighbourhoodofLondon。Thatpurposehasjustbeenhappilyaccomplished。Ihavetaken,forsixmonths,alittlefurnishedhouseinthequartercalledStJohn’sWood。Besoobligingastokeepthisfactinyourmind,andobservetheprogrammeInowpropose。LadyGlydetravelstoLondonashortjourney——Imyselfmeetheratthestation——Itakehertorestandsleepatmyhouse,whichisalsothehouseofheraunt——whensheisrestoredIescorthertothestationagain——shetravelstothisplace,andherownmaidwhoisnowunderyourroofreceivesheratthecarriage-door。Hereiscomfortconsulted——herearetheinterestsofproprietyconsulted——hereisyourownduty——dutyofhospitality,sympathy,protection,toanunhappyladyinneedofallthree——smoothedandmadeeasy,fromthebeginningtotheend。Icordiallyinviteyou,sir,tosecondmyeffortsinthesacredinterestsofthefamily-Iseriouslyadviseyoutowrite,bymyhands,offeringthehospitalityofyourhouseandheart,andthehospitalityofmyhouseandheart,tothatinjuredandunfortunateladywhosecauseIpleadtoday。’

  Hewavedhishorridhandatme——hestruckhisinfectiousbreast——headdressedmeoratorically,asifIwaslaidupintheHouseofCommons。Itwashightimetotakeadesperatecourseofsomesort。ItwasalsohightimetosendforLouis,andadopttheprecautionoffumigatingtheroom。

  Inthistryingemergencyanideaoccurredtome——aninestimableideawhich,sotospeak,killedtwointrusivebirdswithonestone。IdeterminedtogetridoftheCount’stiresomeeloquence,andofLadyGlyde’stiresometroubles,bycomplyingwiththisodiousforeigner’srequest,andwritingtheletteratonce。Therewasnottheleastdangeroftheinvitationbeingaccepted,fortherewasnottheleastchancethatLaurawouldconsenttoleaveBlackwaterParkwhileMarianwaslyingthereill。HowthischarminglyconvenientobstaclecouldhaveescapedtheofficiouspenetrationoftheCount,itwasimpossibletoconceive——butithadescapedhim。Mydreadthathemightyetdiscoverit,ifIallowedhimanymoretimetothink,stimulatedmetosuchanamazingdegree,thatIstruggledintoasittingposition——seized,reallyseized,thewritingmaterialsbymyside,andproducedtheletterasrapidlyasifIhadbeenacommonclerkinanoffice。`DearestLaura,Pleasecome,wheneveryoulike。BreakthejourneybysleepinginLondonatyouraunt’shouse。GrievedtohearofdearMarian’sillness。Everaffectionatelyyours。’Ihandedtheselines,atarm’slength,totheCount——Isankbackinmychair——Isaid,`Excuseme——Iamentirelyprostrated——Icandonomore。Willyourestandlunchdownstairs?Lovetoall,andsympathy,andsoon。Goodmorning。’

  Hemadeanotherspeech——themanwasabsolutelyinexhaustible。Iclosedmyeyes——Iendeavouredtohearaslittleaspossible。InspiteofmyendeavoursIwasobligedtohearagreatdeal。Mysister’sendlesshusbandcongratulatedhimself,andcongratulatedme,ontheresultofourinterview——hementionedagreatdealmoreabouthissympathiesandmine——hedeploredmymiserablehealth——heofferedtowritemeaprescription——heimpressedonmethenecessityofnotforgettingwhathehadsaidabouttheimportanceoflight——heacceptedmyobliginginvitationtorestandlunch——herecommendedmetoexpectLadyGlydeintwoorthreedays’time——hebeggedmypermissiontolookforwardtoournextmeeting,insteadofpaininghimselfandpainingme,bysayingfarewell——headdedagreatdealmore,which,Irejoicetothink,Ididnotattendtoatthetime,anddonotremembernow。Iheardhissympatheticvoicetravellingawayfrommebydegrees——but,largeashewas,Ineverheardhim。Hehadthenegativemeritofbeingabsolutelynoiseless。Idon’tknowwhenheopenedthedoor,orwhenheshutit。Iventuredtomakeuseofmyeyesagain,afteranintervalofsilence——andhewasgone。

  IrangforLouis,andretiredtomybathroom。Tepidwater,strengthenedwitharomaticvinegar,formyself,andcopiousfumigationformystudy,weretheobviousprecautionstotake,andofcourseIadoptedthem。Irejoicetosaytheyprovedsuccessful。Ienjoyedmycustomarysiesta。Iawokemoistandcool。

  MyfirstinquirieswerefortheCount。Hadwereallygotridofhim?Yes——hehadgoneawaybytheafternoontrain。Hadhelunched,andifso,uponwhat?Entirelyuponfruit-tartandcream。Whataman!Whatadigestion!

  AmIexpectedtosayanythingmore?Ibelievenot。IbelieveIhavereachedthelimitsassignedtome。Theshockingcircumstanceswhichhappenedatalaterperioddidnot,Iamthankfultosay,happeninmypresence。Idobegandentreatthatnobodywillbesoveryunfeelingastolayanypartoftheblameofthosecircumstancesonme。Idideverythingforthebest。Iamnotanswerableforadeplorablecalamity,whichitwasquiteimpossibletoforesee。Iamshatteredbyit——Ihavesufferedunderit,asnobodyelsehassuffered。Myservant,Louiswhoisreallyattachedtomeinhisunintelligentway,thinksIshallnevergetoverit。Heseesmedictatingatthismoment,withmyhandkerchieftomyeyes。Iwishtomention,injusticetomyself,thatitwasnotmyfault,andthatIamquiteexhaustedandheartbroken。NeedIsaymore?

  THESTORYCONTINUEDBYELIZAMICHELSONHousekeeperatBlackwaterPark

  IAMaskedtostateplainlywhatIknowoftheprogressofMissHalcombe’sillnessandofthecircumstancesunderwhichLadyGlydeleftBlackwaterParkforLondon。

  Thereasongivenformakingthisdemandonmeis,thatmytestimonyiswantedintheinterestsoftruth。AsthewidowofaclergymanoftheChurchofEnglandreducedbymisfortunetothenecessityofacceptingasituation,Ihavebeentaughttoplacetheclaimsoftruthaboveallotherconsiderations。IthereforecomplywitharequestwhichImightotherwise。throughreluctancetoconnectmyselfwithdistressingfamilyaffairs,havehesitatedtogrant。

  Imadenomemorandumatthetime,andIcannotthereforebesuretoadayofthedate,butIbelieveIamcorrectinstatingthatMissHalcombe’sseriousillnessbeganduringthelastfortnightortendaysinJune。ThebreakfasthourwaslateatBlackwaterPark——sometimesaslateasten,neverearlierthanhalf-pastnine。OnthemorningtowhichIamnowreferring,MissHalcombewhowasusuallythefirsttocomedowndidnotmakeherappearanceatthetable。Afterthefamilyhadwaitedaquarterofanhour,theupperhousemaidwassenttoseeafterher,andcamerunningoutoftheroomdreadfullyfrightened。Imettheservantonthestairs,andwentatoncetoMissHalcombetoseewhatwasthematter。Thepoorladywasincapableoftellingme。Shewaswalkingaboutherroomwithapeninherhand,quitelightheaded,inastateofburningfever。

  LadyGlydebeingnolongerinSirPercival’sservice,Imay,withoutimpropriety,mentionmyformermistressbyhername,insteadofcallinghermyladywasthefirsttocomeinfromherownbedroom。Shewassodreadfullyalarmedanddistressedthatshewasquiteuseless。TheCountFosco,andhislady,whocameupstairsimmediatelyafterwards,werebothmostserviceableandkind。HerladyshipassistedmetogetMissHalcombetoherbed。HislordshiptheCountremainedinthesitting-room,andhavingsentformymedicine-chest,madeamixtureforMissHalcombe,andacoolinglotiontobeappliedtoherhead,soastolosenotimebeforethedoctorcame。Weappliedthelotion,butwecouldnotgethertotakethemixture。SirPercivalundertooktosendforthedoctor。Hedespatchedagroom,onhorseback,forthenearestmedicalman,MrDawson,ofOakLodge。

  MrDawsonarrivedinlessthananhour’stime。Hewasarespectableelderlyman,wellknownallroundthecountry,andweweremuchalarmedwhenwefoundthatheconsideredthecasetobeaveryseriousone。

  HislordshiptheCountaffablyenteredintoconversationwithMrDawson,andgavehisopinionswithajudiciousfreedom。MrDawson,notover-courteously,inquiredifhislordship’sadvicewastheadviceofadoctor,andbeinginformedthatitwastheadviceofonewhohadstudiedmedicineunprofessionally,repliedthathewasnotaccustomedtoconsultwithamateurphysicians。TheCount,withtrulyChristianmeeknessoftemper,smiledandlefttheroom。Beforehewentouthetoldmethathemightbefound,incasehewaswantedinthecourseoftheday,attheboat-houseonthebanksofthelake。Whyheshouldhavegonethere,Icannotsay。Buthedidgo,remainingawaythewholedaytillseveno’clock,whichwasdinner-time。Perhapshewishedtosettheexampleofkeepingthehouseasquietaspossible。Itwasentirelyinhischaractertodoso。Hewasamostconsideratenobleman。

  MissHalcombepassedaverybadnight,thefevercomingandgoing,andgettingworsetowardsthemorninginsteadofbetter。Nonursefittowaitonherbeingathandintheneighbourhood,herladyshiptheCountessandmyselfundertooktheduty,relievingeachother。LadyGlyde,mostunwisely,insistedonsittingupwithus。ShewasmuchtoonervousandtoodelicateinhealthtobeartheanxietyofMissHalcombe’sillnesscalmly。Sheonlydidherselfharm,withoutbeingoftheleastrealassistance。Amoregentleandaffectionateladyneverlived——butshecried,andshewasfrightened,twoweaknesseswhichmadeherentirelyunfittobepresentinasick-room。

  SirPercivalandtheCountcameinthemorningtomaketheirinquiries。

  SirPercivalfromdistress。Ipresume,athislady’saffliction。andatHissHalcombe’sillnessappearedmuchconfusedandunsettledinhismind。Hislordshiptestified,onthecontrary,abecomingcomposureandinterest。Hehadhisstrawhatinonehand,andhisbookintheother,andhementionedtoSirPercivalinmyhearingthathewouldgooutagainandstudyatthelake。`Letuskeepthehousequiet,’hesaid。`Letusnotsmokeindoors,myfriend,nowMissHalcombeisill。Yougoyourway,andIwillgomine。WhenIstudyIliketobealone。Goodmorning,MrsMichelson。’

  SirPercivalwasnotcivilenough——perhapsIoughtinjusticetosay,notcomposedenough——totakeleaveofmewiththesamePoliteattention。Theonlypersoninthehouse,indeed,whotreatedme,atthattimeoratanyother,onthefootingofaladyindistressedcircumstances,wastheCount。Hehadthemannersofatruenobleman——hewasconsideratetowardseveryone。EventheyoungpersonFannybynamewhoattendedonLadyGlydewasnotbeneathhisnotice。WhenshewassentawaybySirPercival,hislordshipshowingmehissweetlittlebirdsatthetimewasmostkindlyanxioustoknowwhathadbecomeofher,whereshewastogothedaysheleftBlackwaterPark,andsoon。Itisinsuchlittledelicateattentionsthattheadvantagesofaristocraticbirthalwaysshowthemselves。Imakenoapologyforintroducingtheseparticulars——theyarebroughtforwardinjusticetohislordship,whosecharacter,Ihavereasontoknow,isviewedratherharshlyincertainquarters。Anoblemanwhocanrespectaladyindistressedcircumstances,andcantakeafatherlyinterestinthefortunesofanhumbleservantgirl,showsprinciplesandfeelingsoftoohighanordertobelightlycalledinquestion。Iadvancenoopinions——Iofferfactsonly。MyendeavourthroughlifeistojudgenotthatIbenotjudged。Oneofmybelovedhusband’sfinestsermonswasonthattext。Ireaditconstantly——inmyowncopyoftheeditionprintedbysubscription,inthefirstdaysofmywidowhood——andateveryfreshperusalIderiveanincreaseofspiritualbenefitandedification。

  TherewasnoimprovementinMissHalcombe,andthesecondnightwasevenworsethanthefirst。MrDawsonwasconstantinhisattendance。ThepracticaldutiesofnursingwerestilldividedbetweentheCountessandmyself,LadyGlydepersistinginsittingupwithus,thoughwebothentreatedhertotakesomerest。`MyplaceisbyMarian’sbedside,’washeronlyanswer。`WhetherIamill,orwell,nothingwillinducemetolosesightofher。’

  TowardsmiddayIwentdownstairstoattendtosomeofmyregularduties。Anhourafterwards,onmywaybacktothesickroom,IsawtheCountwhohadgoneoutagainearly,forthethirdtimeenteringthehall,toallappearanceinthehighestgoodspirits。SirPercival,atthesamemoment,puthisheadoutofthelibrarydoor,andaddressedhisnoblefriend,withextremeeagerness,inthesewords——

  `Haveyoufoundher?’

  Hislordship’slargefacebecamedimpledalloverwithplacidsmiles,buthemadenoreplyinwords。AtthesametimeSirPercivalturnedhishead,observedthatIwasapproachingthestairs,andlookedatmeinthemostrudelyangrymannerpossible

  `Comeinhereandtellmeaboutit,’hesaidtotheCount。`Whenevertherearewomeninahousethey’realwayssuretobegoingupordownstairs。’

  `MydearPercival,’observedhislordshipkindly,`MrsMichelsonhasduties。PrayrecogniseheradmirableperformanceofthemassincerelyasIdo!Howisthesufferer,MrsMichelson?’

  `Nobetter,mylord,Iregrettosay。’

  `Sad——mostsad!’remarkedtheCount。`Youlookfatigued,MrsMichelson。Itiscertainlytimeyouandmywifehadsomehelpinnursing。IthinkImaybethemeansofofferingyouthathelp。CircumstanceshavehappenedwhichwillobligeMadameFoscototraveltoLondoneithertomorroworthedayafter。Shewillgoawayinthemorningandreturnatnight,andshewillbringbackwithher,torelieveyou,anurseofexcellentconductandcapacity,whoisnowdisengaged。Thewomanisknowntomywifeasapersontobetrusted。Beforeshecomesheresaynothingabouther,ifyouplease,tothedoctor,becausehewilllookwithanevileyeonanynurseofmyproviding。Whensheappearsinthishouseshewillspeakforherself,andMrDawsonwillbeobligedtoacknowledgethatthereisnoexcusefornotemployingher。LadyGlydewillsaythesame。PraypresentmybestrespectsandsympathiestoLadyGlyde。’

  Iexpressedmygratefulacknowledgmentsforhislordship’skindconsideration。SirPercivalcutthemshortbycallingtohisnoblefriendusing,regrettosay,aprofaneexpressiontocomeintothelibrary,andnottokeephimwaitingthereanylonger。

  Iproceededupstairs。Wearepoorerringcreatures,andhoweverwellestablishedawoman’sprinciplesmaybeshecannotalwayskeeponherguardagainstthetemptationtoexerciseanidlecuriosity。Iamashamedtosaythatanidlecuriosity,onthisoccasion,gotthebetterofmyprinciples,andmademeundulyinquisitiveaboutthequestionwhichSirPercivalhadaddressedtohisnoblefriendatthelibrarydoor。WhowastheCountexpectedtofindinthecourseofhisstudiousmorningramblesatBlackwaterPark?Awoman,itwastobepresumed,fromthetermsofSirPercival’sinquiry。IdidnotsuspecttheCountofanyimpropriety——Iknewhismoralcharactertoowell。TheonlyquestionIaskedmyselfwas——Hadhefoundher?

  Toresume。ThenightpassedasusualwithoutproducinganychangeforthebetterinMissHalcombe。Thenextdaysheseemedtoimprovealittle。ThedayafterthatherladyshiptheCountess,withoutmentioningtheobjectofherjourneytoanyoneinmyhearing,proceededbythemorningtraintoLondon——hernoblehusband,withhiscustomaryattention,accompanyinghertothestation。

  IwasnowleftinsolechargeofMissHalcombe,witheveryapparentchance,inconsequenceofhersister’sresolutionnottoleavethebedside,ofhavingLadyGlydeherselftonursenext。

  TheonlycircumstanceofanyimportancethathappenedinthecourseofthedaywastheoccurrenceofanotherunpleasantmeetingbetweenthedoctorandtheCount。

  Hislordship,onreturningfromthestation,steppedupintoMissHalcombe’ssitting-roomtomakehisinquiries。Iwentoutfromthebedroomtospeaktohim,MrDawsonandLadyGlydebeingbothwiththepatientatthetime。TheCountaskedmemanyquestionsaboutthetreatmentandthesymptoms。Iinformedhimthatthetreatmentwasofthekinddescribedas`saline,’andthatthesymptoms,betweentheattacksoffever,werecertainlythoseofincreasingweaknessandexhaustion。rustasIwasmentioningtheselastparticulars,MrDawsoncameoutfromthebedroom。

  `Goodmorning,sir,’saidhislordship,steppingforwardinthemosturbanemanner,andstoppingthedoctor,withahigh-bredresolutionimpossibletoresist,`Igreatlyfearyoufindnoimprovementinthesymptomstoday?’

  `Ifinddecidedimprovement,’answeredMrDawson。

  `Youstillpersistinyourloweringtreatmentofthiscaseoffever?’continuedhislordship。

  `Ipersistinthetreatmentwhichisjustifiedbymyownprofessionalexperience,’saidMrDawson。

  `Permitmetoputonequestiontoyouonthevastsubjectofprofessionalexperience,’observedtheCount。`Ipresumetooffernomoreadvice——Ionlypresumetomakeaninquiry。Youliveatsomedistance,sir,fromthegiganticcentresofscientificactivity——LondonandParis。Haveyoueverheardofthewastingeffectsoffeverbeingreasonablyandintelligiblyrepairedbyfortifyingtheexhaustedpatientwithbrandy,wine,ammonia,andquinine?Hasthatnewheresyofthehighestmedicalauthoritieseverreachedyourears——Yesorno?’

  `WhenaprofessionalmanputsthatquestiontomeIshallbegladtoanswerhim,’saidthedoctor,openingthedoortogoout。`Youarenotaprofessionalman,andIbegtodeclineansweringyou。’

  Buffetedinthisinexcusablyuncivilwayononecheek,theCount,likeapracticalChristian,immediatelyturnedtheother,andsaid,inthesweetestmanner,`Goodmorning,MrDawson。’

  Ifmylatebelovedhusbandhadbeensofortunateastoknowhislordship,howhighlyheandtheCountwouldhaveesteemedeachother!

  HerladyshiptheCountessreturnedbythelasttrainthatnight,andbroughtwithherthenursefromLondon。Iwasinstructedthatthisperson’snamewasMrsRubelle。Herpersonalappearance,andherimperfectEnglishwhenshespoke,informedmethatshewasaforeigner。

  Ihavealwayscultivatedafeelingofhumaneindulgenceforforeigners。Theydonotpossessourblessingsandadvantages,andtheyare,forthemostpart,broughtupintheblinderrorsofPopery。Ithasalsoalwaysbeenmypreceptandpractice,asitwasmydearhusband’spreceptandpracticebeforemeseeSermonxxix,intheCollectionbythelateRev。SamuelMichelson,M。A。,todoasIwouldbedoneby。OnboththeseaccountsIwillnotsaythatMrsRubellestruckmeasbeingasmall,wiry,slyperson,offiftyorthereabouts,withadarkbrownorCreolecomplexionandwatchfullightgreyeyes。NorwillImention,forthereasonsjustalleged,thatIthoughtherdress,thoughitwasoftheplainestblacksilk,inappropriatelycostlyintextureandunnecessarilyrefinedintrimmingandfinish,forapersoninherpositioninlife。Ishouldnotlikethesethingstobesaidofme,andthereforeitismydutynottosaythemofMrsRubelle。Iwillmerelymentionthathermannerswere,notperhapsunpleasantlyreserved,butonlyremarkablyquietandretiring——thatshelookedaboutheragreatdeal,andsaidverylittle,whichmighthavearisenquiteasmuchfromherownmodestyasfromdistrustofherpositionatBlackwaterPark;andthatshedeclinedtopartakeofsupperwhichwascuriousperhaps,butsurelynotsuspicious?,althoughImyselfpolitelyinvitedhertothatmealinmyownroom。

  AttheCount’sparticularsuggestionsolikehislordship’sforgivingkindness!,itwasarrangedthatMrsRubelleshouldnotenteronherdutiesuntilshehadbeenseenandapprovedbythedoctorthenextmorning。Isatupthatnight。LadyGlydeappearedtobeveryunwillingthatthenewnurseshouldbeemployedtoattendonMissHalcombe。Suchwantofliberalitytowardsaforeigneronthepartofaladyofhereducationandrefinementsurprisedme。Iventuredtosay,`Mylady,wemustallremembernottobehastyinourjudgmentsonourinferiors——especiallywhentheycomefromforeignparts。’LadyGlydedidnotappeartoattendtome。Sheonlysighed,andkissedMissHalcombe’shandasitlayonthecounterpane。Scarcelyajudiciousproceedinginasick-room,withapatientwhomitwashighlydesirablenottoexcite。ButpoorLadyGlydeknewnothingofnursing——nothingwhatever,Iamsorrytosay。

  ThenextmorningMrsRubellewassenttothesitting-room,tobeapprovedbythedoctoronhiswaythroughtothebedroom。

  IleftLadyGlydewithMissHalcombe,whowasslumberingatthetime,andjoinedMrsRubelle,withtheobjectofkindlypreventingherfromfeelingstrangeandnervousinconsequenceoftheuncertaintyofhersituation。Shedidnotappeartoseeitinthatlight。Sheseemedtobequitesatisfied,beforehand,thatMrDawsonwouldapproveofher,andshesatcalmlylookingoutofwindow,witheveryappearanceofenjoyingthecountryair。Somepeoplemighthavethoughtsuchconductsuggestiveofbrazenassurance。IbegtosaythatImoreliberallysetitdowntoextraordinarystrengthofmind。

  Insteadofthedoctorcominguptous,Iwassentfortoseethedoctor。Ithoughtthischangeofaffairsratherodd,butMrsRubelledidnotappealtobeaffectedbyitinanyway。Ileftherstillcalmlylookingoutofthewindow,andstillsilentlyenjoyingthecountryair。

  MrDawsonwaswaitingformebyhimselfinthebreakfast-room。

  `Aboutthisnewnurse,MrsMichelson,’saidthedoctor。

  `Yes,sir?’

  `IfindthatshehasbeenbroughtherefromLondonbythewifeofthatfatoldforeigner,whoisalwaystryingtointerferewithme。MrsMichelson,thefatoldforeignerisaquack。’

  Thiswasveryrude。Iwasnaturallyshockedatit。

  `Areyouaware,sir,’Isaid,`thatyouaretalkingofanobleman?’

  `Pooh!Heisn’tthefirstquackwithahandletohisname。They’reallCounts——hang’em!’

  `HewouldnotbeafriendofSirPercivalGlyde’ssir,ifhewasnotamemberofthehighestaristocracy——exceptingtheEnglisharistocracy,ofcourse。’

  `Verywell,MrsMichelson,callhimwhatyoulike,andletusgetbacktothenurse。Ihavebeenobjectingtoheralready。’

  `Withouthavingseenher,sir?’

  `Yes,withouthavingseenher。Shemaybethebestnurseinexistence,butsheisnotanurseofmyproviding。IhaveputthatobjectiontoSirPercival,asthemasterofthehouse。Hedoesn’tsupportme。HesaysanurseofmyprovidingwouldhavebeenastrangerfromLondonalso,andhethinksthewomanoughttohaveatrial,afterhiswife’saunthastakenthetroubletofetchherfromLondon。Thereissomejusticeinthat。andIcan’tdecentlysayNo。ButIhavemadeitaconditionthatsheistogoatonce,ifIfindreasontocomplainofher。ThisproposalbeingonewhichIhavesomerighttomake,asmedicalattendant,SirPercivalhasconsentedtoit。Now,MrsMichelson,IknowIcandependonyou。andIwantyoutokeepasharpeyeonthenurseforthefirstdayortwo,andtoseethatshegivesMissHalcombenomedicinesbutmine。Thisforeignnoblemanofyoursisdyingtotryhisquackremediesmesmerismincludedonmypatient,andanursewhoisbroughtherebyhiswifemaybealittletoowillingtohelphim。Youunderstand?Verywell,then,wemaygoupstairs。Isthenursethere?I’llsayawordtoherbeforeshegoesintothesick-room。’

  WefoundMissRubellestillenjoyingherselfatthewindow。WhenIintroducedhertoMrDawson,neitherthedoctor’sdoubtfullooksnorthedoctorssearchingquestionsappearedtoconfuseherintheleast。SheansweredhimquietlyinherbrokenEnglish,andthoughhetriedhardtopuzzleher,sheneverbetrayedtheleastignorance,sofar,aboutanypartofherduties。Thiswasdoubtlesstheresultofstrengthofmind,asIsaidbefore,andnotofbrazenassurance,byanymeans。

  Weallwentintothebedroom。

  MrsRubellelookedveryattentivelyatthepatient,curtseyedtoLadyGlyde,setoneortwolittlethingsrightintheroom,andsatdownquietlyinacornertowaituntilshewaswanted。Herladyshipseemedstartledandannoyedbytheappearanceofthestrangenurse。Noonesaidanything,forfearofrousingMissHalcombe,whowasstillslumbering,exceptthedoctor,whowhisperedaquestionaboutthenight。Isoftlyanswered,`Muchasusual,’andthenMrDawsonwentout。LadyGlydefollowedhim,IsupposetospeakaboutMrsRubelle。Formyownpart,Ihadmadeupmymindalreadythatthisquietforeignpersonwouldkeephersituation。Shehadallherwitsabouther,andshecertainlyunderstoodherbusiness。Sofar,Icouldhardlyhavedonemuchbetterbythebedsidemyself。

  RememberingMrDawson’scautiontome,IsubjectedMrsRubelletoaseverescrutinyatcertainintervalsforthenextthreeorfourdays-Ioverandoveragainenteredtheroomsoftlyandsuddenly,butIneverfoundheroutinanysuspiciousaction。LadyGlyde,whowatchedherasattentivelyasIdid,discoverednothingeither。Ineverdetectedasignofthemedicinebottlesbeingtamperedwith,IneversawMrsRubellesayawordtotheCount,ortheCounttoher。ShemanagedMissHalcombewithunquestionablecareanddiscretion-Thepoorladywaveredbackwardsandforwardsbetweenasortofsleepyexhaustion,whichwashalffaintnessandhalfslumbering,andattacksoffeverwhichbroughtwiththemmoreorlessofwanderinginhermind。MrsRubelleneverdisturbedherinthefirstcase,andneverstartledherinthesecond,byappearingtoosuddenlyatthebedsideinthecharacterofastranger。HonourtowhomhonourisduewhetherforeignorEnglish——andIgiveherprivilegeimpartiallytoMrsRubelle。Shewasremarkablyuncommunicativeaboutherself,andshewastooquietlyindependentofalladvicefromexperiencedpersonswhounderstoodthedutiesofasickroom——butwiththesedrawbacks,shewasagoodnurse,andshenevergaveeitherLadyGlydeorMrDawsontheshadowofareasonforcomplainingofher。

  ThenextcircumstanceofimportancethatoccurredinthehousewasthetemporaryabsenceoftheCount,occasionedbybusinesswhichtookhimtoLondon。HewentawayIthinkonthemorningofthefourthdayafterthearrivalofMrsRubelle,andatpartinghespoketoLadyGlydeveryseriously,inmypresence,onthesubjectofMissHalcombe。

  `TrustMrDawson,’hesaid,`forafewdaysmore,ifyouplease。Butifthereisnotsomechangeforthebetterinthattime,sendforadvicefromLondon,whichthismuleofadoctormustacceptinspiteofhimself。OffendMrDawson,andsaveMissHalcombe。Isaythisseriously,onmywordofhonourandfromthebottomofmyheart。’

  Hislordshipspokewithextremefeelingandkindness。ButpoorLadyGlyde’snervesweresocompletelybrokendownthatsheseemedquitefrightenedathim。Shetrembledfromheadtofoot,andallowedhimtotakehisleavewithoututteringawordonherside。Sheturnedtomewhenhehadgone,andsaid,`Oh,MrsMichelson,Iamheart-brokenaboutmysister,andIhavenofriendtoadviseme!DoyouthinkMrDawsoniswrong?Hetoldmehimselfthismorningthattherewasnofear,andnoneedtosendforanotherdoctor。’

  `WithallrespecttoMrDawson,Ianswered,`inyourladyship’splaceIshouldremembertheCount’sadvice。’

  LadyGlydeturnedawayfrommesuddenly,withanappearanceofdespair,forwhichIwasquiteunabletoaccount。

  `Hisadvice!’shesaidtoherself。`Godhelpus——hisadvice!’

  TheCountwasawayfromBlackwaterPark,asnearlyasIremember,aweek。

  SirPercivalseemedtofeelthelossofhislordshipinvariousways,andappearedalso,Ithought,muchdepressedandalteredbythesicknessandsorrowinthehouse。OccasionallyhewassoveryrestlessthatIcouldnothelpnoticingit,comingandgoing,andwanderinghereandthereandeverywhereinthegrounds。HisinquiriesaboutMissHalcombe,andabouthisladywhosefailinghealthseemedtocausehimsincereanxiety,weremostattentive。Ithinkhisheartwasmuchsoftened。Ifsomekindclericalfriend——somesuchfriendashemighthavefoundinmylateexcellenthusband——hadbeennearhimatthistime,cheeringmoralprogressmighthavebeenmadewithSirPercival。Iseldomfindmyselfmistakenonapointofthissort,havinghadexperiencetoguidemeinmyhappymarrieddays。

  HerladyshiptheCountess,whowasnowtheonlycompanyforSirPercivaldownstairs,ratherneglectedhim,asIconsidered——or,perhaps,itmighthavebeenthatheneglectedher。Astrangermightalmosthavesupposedthattheywerebent,nowtheywerelefttogetheralone,onactuallyavoidingoneanother。This,ofcourse,couldnotbe。Butitdidsohappen,nevertheless,thattheCountessmadeherdinneratluncheon-time,andthatshealwayscameupstairstowardsevening,althoughMrsRubellehadtakenthenursingdutiesentirelyoffherhands。SirPercivaldinedbyhimself,andWilliamthemanoutoflivery,madetheremark,inmyhearing,thathismasterhadputhimselfonhalfrationsoffoodandonadoubleallowanceofdrink。Iattachnoimportancetosuchaninsolentobservationasthisonthepartofaservant。Ireprobateditatthetime,andIwishtobeunderstoodasreprobatingitoncemoreonthisoccasion。

  InthecourseofthenextfewdaysMissHalcombedidcertainlyseemtoallofustobemendingalittle。OurfaithinMrDawsonrevived。Heappearedtobeveryconfidentaboutthecase,andheassuredLadyGlyde,whenshespoketohimonthesubject,thathewouldhimselfproposetosendforaphysicianthemomenthefeltsomuchastheshadowofadoubtcrossinghisownmind。

  TheonlypersonamonguswhodidnotappeartoberelievedbythesewordswastheCountess。Shesaidtomeprivately,thatshecouldnotfeeleasyaboutMissHalcombeonMrDawson’sauthority,andthatsheshouldwaitanxiouslyforherhusband’sopiniononhisreturn。Thatreturn,hislettersinformedher,wouldtakeplaceinthreedays’time。TheCountandCountesscorrespondedregularlyeverymorningduringhislordship’sabsence。Theywereinthatrespect,asinallothers,apatterntomarriedpeople。

  OntheeveningofthethirddayInoticedachangeinMissHalcombe,whichcausedmeseriousapprehension。MrsRubellenoticedittoo。WesaidnothingonthesubjecttoLadyGlyde,whowasthenlyingasleep,completelyoverpoweredbyexhaustion,onthesofainthesitting-room。

  MrDawsondidnotPayhiseveningvisittilllaterthanusual。AssoonasheseteyesonhispatientIsawhisfacealter。Hetriedtohideit,buthelookedbothconfusedandalarmed。Amessengerwassenttohisresidenceforhismedicine-chest,disinfectingpreparationswereusedintheroom,andabedwasmadeupforhiminthehousebyhisowndirections。`Hasthefeverturnedtoinfection?’Iwhisperedtohim。`Iamafraidithas,’heanswered,`weshallknowbettertomorrowmorning。’

  ByMrDawson’sowndirectionsLadyGlydewaskeptinignoranceofthischangefortheworse。Hehimselfabsolutelyforbadeher,onaccountofherhealth,tojoinusinthebedroomthatnight。Shetriedtoresist——therewasasadscene——buthehadhismedicalauthoritytosupporthim,andhecarriedhispoint。

  Thenextmorningoneoftheman-servantswassenttoLondonateleveno’clock,withalettertoaphysicianintown,andwithorderstobringthenewdoctorbackwithhimbytheearliestpossibletrain。HalfanhourafterthemessengerhadgonetheCountreturnedtoBlackwaterPark。

  TheCountess,onherownresponsibility,immediatelybroughthimintoseethepatient。TherewasnoimproprietythatIcoulddiscoverinhertakingthiscourse。Hislordshipwasamarriedman,hewasoldenoughtobeMissHalcombe’sfather,andhesawherinthepresenceofafemalerelative,LadyGlyde’saunt。MrDawsonneverthelessprotestedagainsthispresenceintheroom,butIcouldplainlyremarkthedoctorwastoomuchalarmedtomakeanyseriousresistanceonthisoccasion。

  Thepoorsufferingladywaspastknowinganyoneabouther。Sheseemedtotakeherfriendsforenemies。WhentheCountapproachedherbedsidehereyes,whichhadbeenwanderingincessantlyroundandroundtheroot,:before,settledonhisfacewithadreadfulstareofterror,whichIshallremembertomydyingday。TheCountsatdownbyher,feltherpulseandhertemples,lookedatherveryattentively,andthenturnedrounduponthedoctorwithsuchanexpressionofindignationandcontemptinhisface,thatthewordsfailedonMrDawson’slips,andhestoodforamoment,palewithangerandalarm——paleandperfectlyspeechless。

  Hislordshiplookednextatme。

  `Whendidthechangehappen?’heasked。

  Itoldhimthetime。

  `HasLadyGlydebeenintheroomsince?’

  Irepliedthatshehadnot。Thedoctorhadabsolutelyforbiddenhertocomeintotheroomontheeveningbefore,andhadrepeatedtheorderagaininthemorning。

  `HaveyouandMrsRubellebeenmadeawareofthefullextentofthemischief?’washisnextquestion。

  Wewereaware,Ianswered,thatthemaladywasconsideredinfectious。HestoppedmebeforeIcouldaddanythingmore。

  `Itistyphusfever,’hesaid。

  Intheminutethatpassed,whilethesequestionsandanswersweregoingon,MrDawsonrecoveredhimself,andaddressedtheCountwithhiscustomaryfirmness。

  `Itisnottyphusfever,’heremarkedsharply。`Iprotestagainstthisintrusion,sir。Noonehasarighttoputquestionsherebutme。Ihavedonemydutytothebestofmyability——’

  TheCountinterruptedhim——notbywords,butonlybypointingtothebed。MrDawsonseemedtofeelthatsilentcontradictiontohisassertionofhisownability,andtogrowonlythemoreangryunderit。

  `IsayIhavedonemyduty,’hereiterated。`AphysicianhasbeensentforfromLondon。Iwillconsultonthenatureofthefeverwithhim,andwithnooneelse。Iinsistonyourleavingtheroom。’

  `Ienteredthisroom,sir,inthesacredinterestsofhumanity,’saidtheCount。`Andinthesameinterests,ifthecomingofthephysicianisdelayed,Iwillenteritagain。Iwarnyouoncemorethatthefeverhasturnedtotyphus,andthatyourtreatmentisresponsibleforthislamentablechange。Ifthatunhappyladydies,Iwillgivemytestimonyinacourtofjusticethatyourignoranceandobstinacyhavebeenthecauseofherdeath。’

  BeforeMrDawsoncouldanswer,beforetheCountcouldleaveus,thedoorwasopenedfromthesitting-room,andwesawLadyGlydeonthethreshold。

  `Imustandwillcomein,’shesaid,withextraordinaryfirmness。

  insteadofstoppingher,theCountmovedintothesitting-room,andmadewayforhertogoin。Onallotheroccasionshewasthelastmanintheworldtoforgetany-thing,butinthesurpriseofthemomentheapparentlyforgotthedangerofinfectionfromtyphus,andtheurgentnecessityofforcingLadyGlydetotakepropercareofherself。

  TomyastonishmentMrDawsonshowedmorepresenceofmind。Hestoppedherladyshipatthefirststepshetooktowardsthebedside。`Iamsincerelysorry,Iamsincerelygrieved,’hesaid。`Thefevermay,Ifear,beinfectious。untilIamcertainthatitisnot,Ientreatyoutokeepoutoftheroom。’

  Shestruggledforamoment,thensuddenlydroppedherarmsandsankforward。Shehadfainted。TheCountessandItookherfromthedoctorandcarriedherintoherownroom。TheCountprecededus,andwaitedinthepassagetillIcameoutandtoldhimthatwehadrecoveredherfromtheswoon。

  Iwentbacktothedoctortotellhim,byLadyGlyde’sdesire,thatsheinsistedonspeakingtohimimmediatelyHewithdrewatoncetoquietherladyship’sagitation,andtoassureherofthephysician’sarrivalinthecourseofafewhours。Thosehourspassedveryslowly。SirPercivalandtheCountweretogetherdownstairs,andsentupfromtimetotimetomaketheirinquiries。Atlast,betweenfiveandsixo’clock,toourgreatrelief,thephysiciancame。

  HewasayoungermanthanMrDawson,veryseriousandverydecided。WhathethoughtoftheprevioustreatmentIcannotsay,butitstruckmeascuriousthatheputmanymorequestionstomyselfandtoMrsRubellethanheputtothedoctor,andthathedidnotappeartolistenwithmuchinteresttowhatMrDawsonsaid,whilehewasexaminingMrDawson’spatient。Ibegantosuspect,fromwhatIobservedinthisway,thattheCounthadbeenrightabouttheillnessallthewaythrough,andIwasnaturallyconfirmedinthatideawhenMrDawson,aftersomelittledelay,askedtheoneimportantquestionwhichtheLondondoctorhadbeensentfortosetatrest。

  `Whatisyouropinionofthefever?’heinquired。

  `Typhus,’repliedthephysician。`Typhusfeverbeyondalldoubt。’

  Thatquietforeignperson,MrsRubelle,crossedherthinbrownhandsinfrontofher,andlookedatmewithaverysignificantsmile。TheCounthimselfcouldhardlyhaveappearedmoregratifiedifhehadbeenpresentintheroomandhadheardtheconfirmationofhisownopinion。

  Aftergivingussomeusefuldirectionsaboutthemanagementofthepatient,andmentioningthathewouldcomeagaininfivedays’time,thephysicianwithdrewtoconsultinprivatewithMrDawson。HewouldoffernoopiniononMissHalcombe’schancesofrecovery——hesaiditwasimpossibleatthatstageoftheillnesstopronounceonewayortheother。

  Thefivedayspassedanxiously。

  CountessFoscoandmyselftookitbyturnstorelieveMrsRubelle,MissHalcombe’sconditiongrowingworseandworse,andrequiringourutmostcareandattention。Itwasaterriblytryingtime。LadyGlydesupported,asMrDawsonsaid,bytheconstantstrainofhersuspenseonhersister’saccountralliedinthemostextraordinarymanner,andshowedafirmnessanddeterminationforwhichIshouldmyselfneverhavegivenhercredit。Sheinsistedoncomingintothesick-roomtwoorthreetimeseveryday,tolookatMissHalcombewithherowneyes,promisingnottogotooclosetothebed,ifthedoctorwouldconsenttoherwishessofar。MrDawsonveryunwillinglymadetheconcessionrequiredofhim——Ithinkhesawthatitwashopelesstodisputewithher。Shecameineveryday,andsheself-denyinglykeptherpromise。Ifeltitpersonallysodistressingasremindingmeofmyownafflictionduringmyhusband’slastillnesstoseehowshesufferedunderthesecircumstances,thatImustbegnottodwellonthispartofthesubjectanylonger。ItismoreagreeabletometomentionthatnofreshdisputestookplacebetweenMrDawsonandtheCount。Hislordshipmadeallhisinquiriesbydeputy,andremainedcontinuallyincompanywithSirPercivaldownstairs。

  Onthefifthdaythephysiciancameagainandgaveusalittlehope。Hesaidthetenthdayfromthefirstappearanceofthetyphuswouldprobablydecidetheresultoftheillness,andhearrangedforhisthirdvisittotakeplaceonthatdate。Theintervalpassedasbefore——exceptthattheCountwenttoLondonagainonemorningandreturnedatnight。

  OnthetenthdayitpleasedamercifulProvidencetorelieveourhouseholdfromallfurtheranxietyandalarm。ThephysicianpositivelyassuredusthatMissHalcombewasoutofdanger。`Shewantsnodoctornow——allsherequiresiscarefulwatchingandnursingforsometimetocome,andthatIseeshehas。’Thosewerehisownwords。ThateveningIreadmyhusband’stouchingsermononRecoveryfromSickness,withmorehappinessandadvantageinaspiritualpointofviewthanIeverremembertohavederivedfromitbefore。

  TheeffectofthegoodnewsonpoorLadyGlydewas,Igrievetosay,quiteoverpowering。Shewastooweaktobeartheviolentreaction,andinanotherdayortwoshesankintoastateofdebilityanddepressionwhichobligedhertokeepherroom。Restandquiet,andchangeofairafterwards,werethebestremedieswhichMrDawsoncouldsuggestforherbenefit。Itwasfortunatethatmatterswerenoworse,for,ontheverydayaftershetooktoherroom,theCountandthedoctorhadanotherdisagreement——andthistimethedisputebetweenthemwasofsoseriousanaturethatMrDawsonleftthehouse。

  Iwasnotpresentatthetime,butIunderstoodthatthesubjectofdisputewastheamountofnourishmentwhichitwasnecessarytogivetoassistMissHalcombe’sconvalescenceaftertheexhaustionofthefever。MrDawson,nowthathispatientwassafe,waslessinclinedthanevertosubmittounprofessionalinterference,andtheCountIcannotimaginewhylostalltheself-controlwhichhehadsojudiciouslypreservedonformeroccasions,andtauntedthedoctor,overandoveragain,withhismistakeaboutthefeverwhenitchangedtotyphus。TheunfortunateaffairendedinMrDawson’sappealingtoSirPercival,andthreateningnowthathecouldleavewithoutabsolutedangertoMissHalcombetowithdrawfromhisattendanceatBlackwaterParkiftheCount’sinterferencewasnotperemptorilysuppressedfromthatmoment。SirPercival’sreplythoughnotdesignedlyuncivilhadonlyresultedinmakingmattersworse,andMrDawsonhadthereuponwithdrawnfromthehouseinastateofextremeindignationatCountFosco’susageofhim,andhadsentinhishillthenextmorning。

  Wewerenow,therefore,leftwithouttheattendanceofamedicalman。Althoughtherewasnoactualnecessityforanotherdoctor——nursingandwatchingbeing,asthephysicianhadobserved,allthatMissHalcomberequired——Ishouldstill,ifmyauthorityhadbeenconsulted,haveobtainedprofessionalassistancefromsomeotherquarter,forform’ssake。

  ThematterdidnotseemtostrikeSirPercivalinthatlight。HesaiditwouldbetimeenoughtosendforanotherdoctorifMissHalcombeshowedanysignsofarelapse。InthemeanwhilewehadtheCounttoconsultinanyminordifficulty,andweneednotunnecessarilydisturbourpatientinherpresentweakandnervousconditionbythepresenceofastrangeratherbedside。Therewasmuchthatwasreasonable,nodoubt,intheseconsiderations,buttheyleftmealittleanxiousnevertheless。NorwasIquitesatisfiedinmyownmindoftheproprietyofourconcealingthedoctor’sabsenceaswedidfromLadyGlyde。Itwasamercifuldeception,Iadmit——forshewasinnostatetobearanyfreshanxieties。Butstillitwasadeceptionand,assuch,toapersonofmyprinciples,atbestadoubtfulproceeding。

  Asecondperplexingcircumstancewhichhappenedonthesameday,andwhichtookmecompletelybysurprise,addedgreatlytothesenseofuneasinessthatwasnowweighingonmymind。

  IwassentfortoseeSirPercivalinthelibrary。TheCount,whowaswithhimwhenIwentinimmediatelyroseandleftusalonetogether。SirPercivalcivillyaskedmetotakeaseat,andthen,tomygreatastonishment,addressedmeintheseterms——

  `Iwanttospeaktoyou,MrsMichelson,aboutamatterwhichIdecidedonsometimeago,andwhichIshouldhavementionedbefore,butforthesicknessandtroubleinthehouse-Inplainwords,Ihavereasonsforwishingtobreakupmyestablishmentimmediatelyatthisplace——leavingyouincharge,ofcourse,asusual。AssoonasLadyGlydeandMissHalcombecantraveltheymustbothhavechangeofair。Myfriends,CountFoscoandtheCountess,willleaveusbeforethattimetoliveintheneighbourhoodofLondon,andIhavereasonsfornotopeningthehousetoanymorecompany,withaviewtoeconomisingascarefullyasIcan。Idon’tblameyou,butmyexpenseshereareagreatdealtooheavy。Inshort,Ishallsellthehorses,andgetridofalltheservantsatonce。Ineverdothingsbyhalves,asyouknow,andImeantohavethehouseclearofapackofuselesspeoplebythistimetomorrow。’

  Ilistenedtohim,perfectlyaghastwithastonishment。

  `Doyoumean,SirPercival,thatIamtodismisstheindoorservantsundermychargewithouttheusualmonth’swarning?’lasked。

  `CertainlyIdo。Wemayallbeoutofthehousebeforeanothermonth,andIamnotgoingtoleavetheservantshereinidleness,withnomastertowaiton。’

  `Whoistodothecooking,SirPercival,whileyouarestillstayinghere?’

  `MargaretPorchercanroastandboil——keepher。WhatdoIwantwithacookifIdon’tmeantogiveanydinner-parties?’

  `Theservantyouhavementionedisthemostunintelligentservantinthehouse,SirPercival——’

  `Keepher,Itellyou,andhaveawomaninfromthevillagetodothecleaningandgoawayagain。Myweeklyexpensesmustandshallbeloweredimmediately。Idon’tsendforyoutomakeobjections,MrsMichelson——Isendforyoutocarryoutmyplansofeconomy。Dismissthewholelazypackofindoorservantstomorrow,exceptPorcher。Sheisasstrongasahorse——andwe’llmakeherworklikeahorse。’

  `Youwillexcusemeforremindingyou,SirPercival,thatiftheservantsgotomorrowtheymusthaveamonth’swagesinlieuofamonth’swarning。’

  `Letthem!Amonth’swagessavesamonth’swasteandgluttonyintheservants’hall。’

  Thislastremarkconveyedanaspersionofthemostoffensivekindonmymanagement。Ihadtoomuchself-respecttodefendmyselfundersogrossanimputation。ChristianconsiderationforthehelplesspositionofMissHalcombeandLadyGlyde,andfortheseriousinconveniencewhichmysuddenabsencemightinflictonthem,alonepreventedmefromresigningmysituationonthespot。Iroseimmediately。Itwouldhaveloweredmeinmyownestimationtohavepermittedtheinterviewtocontinueamomentlonger。

  `Afterthatlastremark,SirPercival,Ihavenothingmoretosay。Yourdirectionsshallbeattendedto。’Pronouncingthosewords,Ibowedmyheadwiththemostdistantrespect,andwentoutoftheroom。

  Thenextdaytheservantsleftinabody。SirPercivalhimselfdismissedthegroomsandstablemen,sendingthem,withallthehorsesbutone,toLondon。Ofthewholedomesticestablishment,indoorsandout,therenowremainedonlymyself,MargaretPorcher,andthegardener——thislastlivinginhisowncottage,andbeingwantedtotakecareoftheonehorsethatremainedinthestables。

  Withthehouseleftinthisstrangeandlonelycondition——withthemistressofitillinherroom——withMissHalcombestillashelplessasachild——andwiththedoctor’sattendancewithdrawnfromusinenmity——itwassurelynotunnaturalthatmyspiritsshouldsink,andmycustomarycomposurebeveryhardtomaintain。Mymindwasillatease。Iwishedthepoorladiesbothwellagain,andIwishedmyselfawayfromBlackwaterPark。

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