Joe Hanlon was in high favour at Greystoke. In him—thanks to his long military training—prompt unhesitating obedience4 had come to be second nature. All orders he received he carried out implicitly5, and to the letter. He was as plucky6 too as he was punctual; and he could always be relied on when there was an ugly job on hand. Hard, tough, and resolute7, he was ready to tackle the most truculent8 patient, and brave his fiercest rage. ‘The Boy’s’ little weakness for refreshment9 might have done him harm at Greystoke, but his superiors at the asylum10 were not as keen in the detection of unsteadiness as the non-commissioned officers of the Duke’s Own; and when Joe was at all ‘on,’ he managed to keep the secret to himself. Perhaps, as a valuable servant, his masters were often conveniently blind.
[60]
As a person of some authority, Hanlon was at liberty to go where he pleased in the establishment. One morning he paid a visit to the female wing, and asked to see Miss Ponting.
‘Good morning, Mr. Hanlon.’
‘Morning, Miss. How is she to-day?’ he went on at once, and with no little excitement in his voice.
‘Her ladyship? Like a lamb. What’s amiss, Mr. Hanlon? You look peeked12.’
Miss Ponting’s duties had lain for some years with the most aristocratic patients, and she cultivated a refinement13 of language and a fastidiousness of expression which imposed upon no one so much as herself. But for the firm lines of her mouth and steady eye—traits which proved her fitness for her present employment—she might have been set down as a fat foolish woman[61] of forty, with the airs and graces of girlhood, and the pretentiousness14 of one who sought to be considered superior to her station. She had a fine eye for the main chance, however, and this had led her to listen willingly enough to ‘the Boy’s’ blandishments. There was profit, perhaps, substantial and considerable, to be got out of the affair.
‘They’re coming over this very day,’ cried Hanlon. ‘Sir Rupert and the captain’—Joe had already given Herbert promotion15, partly out of affection, and partly to impress Miss Ponting—‘and the whole kit16 of ’em.’
‘Well, what puts you in such a taking? We ain’t to be trampled17 upon like the sands of the seashore. We’re ready for anyone that chooses to come.’
‘But is she? The captain means to[62] have her out, and so I tell you; and it’ll all depend on how they find her. Is she fit to be seen?’
‘Never was better. Her appetite’s combsar, but her manner’s quite degagy, and her temper debonnair.’
‘Will it do to prepare her? Won’t it flurry her, as when you told her of the fight on the Coast?’
‘Best break it to her judgematically, and with—with—a composing draught18. I’ll tell her too to hold her tongue—she is mindful of what I say, always—and answer only when she’s spoken to; and if I put her into a quiet dress, and keep my eye on her, she’ll come through all right, or call me Jenny Say Quoy.’
‘I’ll call you a brick, and a beauty, and Mrs. Hanlon, or anything you please,’ said ‘the Boy,’ in high glee. ‘You’re quite a[63] genius, Georgeyana, and I’ll fight the man who says you ain’t.’
The visitors arrived punctually at eleven. Dr. Fewster, the proprietor20 of the establishment, who had been briefly21 apprised22 by Sir Rupert, received them in state in his drawing-room. He was a man of a not uncommon23 type, but certain peculiar24 characteristics were very strongly developed in him. A superficial observer, after five minutes’ talk, would have thought him one of the pleasantest men in the world. The moment he met you, Dr. Fewster took possession of you, and began to dose you with oil—not that known in the profession as croton, cod-liver, or castor—but the metaphorical25 oil of compliment and flattery, very thinly disguised. If he had not taken to lunacy, he might have made a fortune in general practice, so honeyed were his accents, and reassuring26 his tone.
[64]
When Herbert was presented to him, Dr. Fewster put out his hand, and said with much feeling,
‘To shake hands with a hero is indeed an honour for us who never leave our armchairs at home. Let me tell you, Mr. Larkins, such deeds as yours send a thrill through the whole country, and we are proud—proud to call you one of ourselves.’
All this time he held Herbert’s hand, and was shaking it as though it was a bottle of his own medicine, very much to Herbert’s discomfort28, who inwardly apostrophised him as an ass27, a humbug29, and a cad.
‘And you, Sir Rupert, how pained yet how pleased you must have been to welcome him home—to have thanked him for his devotion. Ah! would, would to Heaven it had been more successful—’
[65]
Dr. Fewster turned away, overcome with emotion, but Sir Rupert, who knew his man, said abruptly30,
‘We have come on business, doctor.’
‘So I understood from your letter, although you did not exactly specify31 what. It is not then merely to visit my establishment, which by the bye I should be only too happy to show, but—’
‘To see Lady Farrington.’
‘Indeed! This gentleman is perhaps acquainted with, possibly interested in, the case?’
‘This Mr. Larkins,’ said Sir Rupert, not without bitterness, ‘is an old friend and protégé of her ladyship’s. He has not seen her for some years—in fact not since she has been here.’
‘To be sure, to be sure, I remember now,’ and the doctor looked at Herbert with a keen, cunning glance, wondering[66] whether there was anything to fear from that quarter.
‘I have not yet been my rounds,’ he said; ‘I cannot tell how her ladyship is this morning; but if she is presentable—there are times, you understand, when she is not quite, quite self-possessed, you know, and perhaps—’
‘Mr. Larkins thinks that there may be some mistake; that the poor lady is not what you, Dr. Fewster, and what we all imagine. He has heard that she is perfectly32 quiet and rational.’
‘May I ask from whom?’
Herbert did not reply. He was too much interested in the door, at which he was looking steadily33. He was perhaps expecting some one.
‘Some one in the establishment,’ Sir Rupert answered for him.
[67]
‘In my establishment? Can it be possible that you would accept any evidence but my own? I forbear to ask who your informant may be’—in his own secret heart he was registering a vow34 to discover, and mentally promising35 the culprit a very short shrift—‘but I need hardly say that information surreptitiously obtained cannot always be quite relied upon. Nor, may I add, is any opinion of real value but that of those duly accredited36; and I must maintain mine against all comers save and except the great lights and authorities of my own profession.’
At this moment a servant entered with a card, which Dr. Fewster took up carelessly, but as he looked at it his demeanour suddenly changed.
‘Where is he?’ he hurriedly inquired of the servant. ‘In my study? or has he[68] gone into the building? Gentlemen, pray forgive me, but this is a visitor whom I cannot neglect. It is Dr. Darlington Mayne, the eminent37 alienist, and as you, perhaps, are aware, the newly-appointed Chancellor’s visitor. You will follow me, I trust?’
Sir Rupert looked savagely38 interrogative at Herbert, as though to inquire whether it was by his agency that this great official had appeared so opportunely39 upon the scene.
‘I thought it would be more satisfactory to all parties,’ Herbert said, quite calmly. ‘A friend of mine is an intimate friend of his, and Dr. Mayne is already in full possession of all the facts of the case.’
‘The young fellow plays his game closely,’ thought the doctor, as he left the room.
‘The young villain40 has stolen a march upon me,’ thought Sir Rupert, and so Herbert evidently had.
[69]
Dr. Fewster was a little nervous when he met the great man, who, without waiting for the proprietor, had gone at once into Lady Farrington’s apartments, and was already in close conversation with her.
‘Dr. Fewster? Ah! I wished to see her ladyship,’ began Dr. Mayne, rather curtly41.
‘Oh, of course. And how are you this morning, my dear lady?’ inquired the asylum doctor.
‘Very well; perfectly well, as I have been these five years past,’ replied Lady Farrington, with great coolness and self-possession.
The old lady had aged11 considerably42 since we last saw her. Her hair was snow white. There was a sort of rather mournful expression in her dark eyes, which one sees often in human beings and all who have been long in captivity43, and have but little[70] hope of release. But these eyes had lost none of their brilliancy, and she sat up straight in her chair, with evident signs of strength and vitality44 still unimpaired. The great news which the attendant had communicated to her but an hour or two before, that Herbert was close by, and meant to get her out, somehow, had put new life into her.
‘Your ladyship slept well?’ went on Dr. Fewster, ‘no visions, no visitors—from Africa?’
Lady Farrington’s hands trembled, and a sudden gleam flashed from her eyes, but she saw Miss Ponting looking at her, and instantly she subsided45 into perfect calm.
The reference to Herbert was artfully made, but it failed.
‘I never see visions. You are talking nonsense, Dr. Fewster.’
[71]
‘No apparitions47? No ghostly messages from missing and long-lost friends?’
Lady Farrington appeared a little agitated48, but again a glance from Miss Ponting reassured49 her.
‘Of course not. I do not understand you in the least.’
‘Nothing from Herbert Larkins? He has given you no warning of his approaching return?’
This was a great trial to her ladyship, but she bore it wonderfully well. A greater test was in store for her.
‘What if I tell you he is close at hand, that within a week, within a day or two perhaps, you may see him again?’
The poor lady’s fortitude50 for a moment gave way:
‘You mean that he is here at this moment, actually here in the house. Oh, let[72] me see him! my sweet, sweet boy; now, now, at once, I implore51 you—’
Then she stopped suddenly, but with a manifest effort, and turning to Dr. Mayne, said piteously,
‘It is not fair; it is cruel to work upon my feelings thus. This is the subject nearest to my heart, and he knows it, hoping to excite me and make me appear other than I am. It is for this dear boy that I am imprisoned52 here—I will speak—’ (this was in answer to a warning gesture from Miss Ponting). ‘This gentleman is a Government visitor, he has said so, come here on purpose to do me justice. He shall hear the whole story from beginning to end, and he will know then that I have been the victim of the hardest usage and foul53 play.’
Dr. Fewster turned to Dr. Mayne with[73] a meaning look, which plainly implied that he would now see the form taken by Lady Farrington’s craze. This was her weak point—her monomania, and her madness would soon unmistakeably be betrayed.
‘You shall tell me the whole story, Lady Farrington, but privately54, and in your own way. I wish to see her ladyship alone, quite alone.’
Dr. Mayne spoke19 very quietly; he was an undemonstrative man, of few words, but his manner and tone were one of much determination and authority.
Meanwhile Sir Rupert and Herbert, left to themselves, had exchanged but little conversation. The baronet was preoccupied55, and there was a black scowl56 on his face, which boded57 ill for any whom his anger could touch. Herbert was silent too. He felt that he had thrown away the scabbard,[74] and was fighting Sir Rupert to the death.
The moments dragged themselves slowly on, till presently Dr. Fewster returned, with many apologies.
‘I am truly grieved to have kept you so long from the object of your visit. The fact is, Dr. Darlington Mayne also wished to see Lady Farrington, and he is at present closeted with her. Till he chooses to end the interview we cannot disturb him, of course.’
It was quite an hour later when Dr. Mayne joined them.
‘These are the poor lady’s friends,’ said the asylum doctor, with much formality. ‘Sir Rupert Farrington, Mr. Herbert Larkins, of the Duke’s Own.’
Dr. Mayne bowed very coldly to Sir Rupert, but put out his hand to Herbert.
[75]
‘Our mutual58 friend, Dr. McCosh, has often spoken to me of you. That was a noble deed of yours, and I am glad to know you, Mr. Larkins.’
‘But Lady Farrington?’ eagerly interposed Herbert, as soon as he civilly could.
‘It is a case of some little difficulty. I am really rather perplexed59. Her ladyship is perfectly sane60, I think, and rational, except on one point. If I could but obtain some independent testimony61 on that, I might see my way. She perseveres62 in asseverating63, although she can adduce no proofs, that her son Herbert, whom she has not seen for upwards64 of five and twenty years, left a son, and that you, Mr. Larkins, are he.’
Herbert replied slowly and with an air of the deepest conviction,
[76]
‘She is perfectly right. I am.’
‘Great powers!’ cried Sir Rupert, starting to his feet and foaming65 with rage. ‘Was there ever such matchless effrontery66?’
‘It can be fully46 substantiated,’ went on Herbert, still perfectly calm.
‘It is a gross and unfounded lie, from beginning to end—a conspiracy67, an attempt to defraud68.’
‘Of that the law can only judge,’ said Dr. Mayne; ‘but I must confess Mr. Larkins’ assertion so far satisfies my mind that I feel convinced Lady Farrington is not suffering from any hallucination, and I shall recommend her immediate69 discharge.’
‘You cannot, must not; my life would be in peril,’ expostulated Sir Rupert, still furious, but rather taken aback.
[77]
‘My mind is quite made up,’ said the Chancellor’s visitor, authoritatively70.
‘And I give you notice,’ went on Herbert, ‘on behalf of Lady Farrington, that Mr. Bellhouse, her solicitor71, will forthwith commence an action against you for illegal detention72, and will require a full account of all moneys due to her during the time she has been under restraint.’
‘I care nothing for your actions,’ cried Sir Rupert, snapping his fingers, ‘and if I spend my last shilling she shall not go at large.’
But he was compelled to give way. The law was too strong for him, his opponents too full of fight. And that they meant business was clear from an advertisement which appeared everywhere directly after Lady Farrington was set free. It was as follows:—‘5,000l. Reward. To anyone[78] who will give authentic73 proofs of marriage about 184— between Herbert Farrington, alias74 Corporal Smith, of the 12th Lancers, and Ann, daughter of Josiah Orde, of Newark-on-Trent.’
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1
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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plucky
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| adj.勇敢的 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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truculent
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| adj.野蛮的，粗野的 | |
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refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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peeked
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| v.很快地看( peek的过去式和过去分词 )；偷看；窥视；微露出 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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pretentiousness
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| n.矫饰；炫耀；自负；狂妄 | |
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promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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metaphorical
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| a.隐喻的，比喻的 | |
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reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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specify
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| vt.指定，详细说明 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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accredited
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| adj.可接受的；可信任的；公认的；质量合格的v.相信( accredit的过去式和过去分词 )；委托；委任；把…归结于 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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vitality
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| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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50
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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52
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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54
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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55
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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56
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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57
boded
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| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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58
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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perseveres
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的第三人称单数 ) | |
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asseverating
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| v.郑重声明，断言( asseverate的现在分词 ) | |
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64
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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66
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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68
defraud
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| vt.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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69
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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70
authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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solicitor
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| n.初级律师，事务律师 | |
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detention
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| n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下 | |
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authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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alias
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| n.化名；别名；adv.又名 | |
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